American Splendor , independant film my wife and I just saw…At first I could not remember the comic…I was never really into the guy - Harvey Pekar - but then, I remembered his varied appearances on Dave Letterman, and knew exactly who he was. Harvey Pekar, the average guy who put his life into a comic:
Basically, that sumed it up. So has anyone viewed the movie? The 2003 release, what a great film. I bought it to enhance our collection, and Toby - WOW! the actor played his part perfect!
I thought it was one of the best movies I saw last year, and was delighted Hope Davis was nominated for a best supporting actress Golden Globe (too bad she didn’t win, but she was up against the Zellweger juggernaut). It’s also been nominated for an Oscar for best writing, so it seems there is some justice. This quirky film that “could never be made” has been noticed by the establishment.
I just rented it through NetFlix last week, and I loved it. I dont’ remember the comic book or Letterman appearances, but I loved the movie. Then when I found out it was true, it made me appreciate it in a totally different way.
I went out of my way to see it last fall as we don’t get anything but mainstream films in the podunk “city” I live in. I’ve been a fan of the comic for a long time, but I think the movie’s quirkyness works even if you don’t know who Pekar is. Let’s hope the DVD takes off as Harvey deserves success. I didn’t know it was out yet but it is one I’ll definitely add to my collection.
I knew that Robert Crumb drew some stories for Pekar, but was surprised to find they were friends before Crumb made it big with Zap Comix, Mr. Natural, etc.
In fact, I think that American Splendor would make a good companion piece to the movie, Crumb.
I loved it too. It had depressing parts, of course, but I wouldn’t call it a depressing movie by any means. It was funny and sad and beautiful, and I’m so glad it got made and I got to see it. I loved the blend of storytelling techniques, with the animations and cutaways to the “real” people. Paul Giamatti was great as usual, and the actor who played Toby was amazing.
Although I must admit, even though I’m a big comic book guy, the movie didn’t really make me want to seek out and read the American Splendor comics. I get the impression that THOSE would be really depressing.
Generally, they’re not. The comics have less of a point to them than the film did – which makes sense, as the film attempted to capture Pekar’s life story, while each comic story is usually just an individual vignette.
I liked it a lot, and got to see it under what seemed like appropriated circumstances – saw it at the only theatre showing it in Atlanta, a slightly seedy little place where the tickets are $3.50. There was no one else at that showing – there I was, a balding, slightly odd middle-aged man sitting by myself in the dark. Really enjoyed the film, and I’ll buy it on DVD as soon as I’ve got a job.
American Splendor was my favorite movie of 2003. One of only two I saw twice in the theater (the other was Finding Nemo). I started a thread about it several months ago (along with Lost in Translation), but the search engine is being wonky and I can’t locate it.
Saw it last fall and recently, and loved it both times. While I agree with the brilliant part, I really didn’t find it all that depressing and I actually thought it ended on a fairly high note. I mean sure, there were some unhappy elements to the story, but what story doesn’t have those.
I’m a little dissappointed, however, that neither Paul Giamatti nor Hope Davis were nominated for an academy award. I thought both were well worthy. The movie was in my top ten of the year. In another thread, I think it was in the top three actually.
I’ve collected American Splendor comics for years. The movie was so true and devoted to the tone of the series. I’m so glad it didn’t get the Hollywood buff and polish.
Some of Pekar’s stories are pointless and only slightly humorous, but they’re so true. One story was about an old man who forgot what he was talking about in the process of making a point. What’s so funny about that? Nothin, until you realize you do it yourself.
Pekar doesn’t cut himself any slack. He knows he’s pushy, compulsive and annoying, and is completely honest about it. He’s also very much into the history and background of the people he writes about. His articles on jazz artists go into their early struggles to make it big. He had one story about his cousin who emigrated from Poland, and the story she wrote in an elementary school class. At the end, she admits she made much of the story up to impress her teacher. But she took part in history by being among many who escaped Nazi aggression.
We’re watching it my comics and graphic novels lit class (How cool is that! The class won’t transfer or anything but I had to take it.) Of course, we’re reading the comics too. I’ve only seen the first half so far, but I’ll see the rest tomorrow.
I love it so far. The comics and the movie. In fact, no one in the class dislikes it. The movie is really true to the comics. Seeing and hearing Harvey Pekar as he narrates the movie was really neat.
Hardly depressing at all. A wonderful tale of the survival of the human spirit in the face of seemingly impossible darkness.
My #2 film of 2003. (But I have yet to see “21 Grams” and some other small well noted, mainly late released, films.)
I actually didn’t like HP’s appearances on Letterman, thought he was a twit and was glad he got the boot. That Paul Giamatti can make this loser so likeable is testament to an amazing acting performance.
I just watched it last weekend and really enjoyed it. Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis were great.
Did anyone else watch the short bonus film of the real Harvey Pekar at the Canne Film Festival? It was hilarious watching the grumpy out-of-place file clerk interacting with movie stars and entertainment reporters.
I used to love him on Letterman.
Just last week or so they talked to him on local tv and they had him talking into this earpiece and he was just staring at the couch, instead of looking at the camera right there.
Totally cool.
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