American Splendor

USA 2003, 100 minutes
Dir. Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Rating: [M]
Genres: Drama, Cult / Independent

Topics: Biopic.

Aroview: An ambitious celebration of the life of cult US comic-writer Harvey Pekar, told in a quilt-work of monologue, biopic, autobiography and 're-enactments'.

Many viewers may ask "Harvey... who?", but his sardonic and heartfelt worldview is an accessible, relatively familiar 'Everyman' lament of failed expectations, painful romance and stubborn eccentricity. Most interestingly the film mimics Pekar's autobiographical tendencies, cleverly interweaving footage of the man himself and his dramatic substitute (Giamatti), though whether the subject has quite the significance of Robert Crumb, say, is open to question.

Sundance - Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic) 2003
NZ International Film Festival 2003

Member Reviews

Average rating (Good Enough). Showing 1-3 of 3 member reviews.

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3 stars (Good Enough) The life and worldview of Harvey Pekar, a working-class everyman and keen observer of the people in his life and his surroundings, finds love, family and a creative voice through comic books. Makes everyday life look so complicated! ~GenXGirl
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5 stars (Exceptional) Giamatti is superb in this entertaining, funny and affecting biopic. ~Wizzums
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2 stars (Good Try) The artwork and set designs are well done but the screenplay is forced and tries too hard. Giamatti, as usual, is too intense and doesn't help. ~Tubbs