American Splendor (2003)

This is just one of the most beautiful, honest, simple films ever made.It is the kind of film that I think about when my life is in the trenches.It was a story about real people, and we even got to meet them in the course of the film.I read the most popular review of this film for about two sentences, I'll admit that, but the obvious negativity about the review belied the reviewers clueless inability to see the bigger picture.And I say that lovingly....But honest to gosh, if you can't watch this film without getting all bitchy about details, then you should play it safe and stick to Chuck Norris.

A reluctant review for a phenomenon not truly understood. "American Splendor" is a true cinematic novelty, where documentary mixes with comic-book movie to become what in essence is a bio-pic focused on the extra-ordinary eccentric Harvey Pekar (played spot on by Paul Giamatti, but also featuring throughout as himself adequately adding commentary to his life and times) and his hipster comic novel career. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini tell the story of Pekar's rise to fame, when through his friendship with legendary Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak) he becomes the author of a cult comic book, famed across the country. Unable to draw Pekar uses stick figures to write down stories from his weird and wonderful life, then with the aide of true artists delivering the revered "American Splendor" comic strip.Immensely challenging from a cinematographic standpoint Berman and Pulcini achieve a perfect balance between the layers, thus supplying an entertaining off-beat movie, but one that seems best directed to American audiences. Harvey Pekar is peculiarly quirky, while his comics so engraved in American popular art, that it seems best appreciated by people part of this odd every-day reality. Naturally Harvey Pekar is on the verge of socially accepted normalcy, but that is exactly the perception that was challenged and so admired.In hindsight a pretty entertaining watch with some veritable social poignancy, but ultimately one that honestly has to be digested at 'home', not by audiences detached from the reality in which it takes place, as little effort is truly placed in having the movie permeate with the feeling of the time.

In American Splendor, the theme is on the character with a focus on the plot. The main character is Harvey Pekar. He works as a file clerk at the VA Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. His third wife, Joyce, is a minor main character. The real Harvey Pekar does voice overs and makes occasional appearances throughout the movie.This is a real life film about Harvey. The events of his life start at around age 10 when he is shown trick or treating with his friends. Everyone is in costume except Harvey. The person handing out candy at one house asks what character Harvey is dressed as. Well, Harvey is dressed as himself. This is character enough. The movie tells the story of how Harvey started his own comic book series. He decided to write comic sequences illustrating his everyday, mundane life. In an early scene, we see Harvey coming home after a doctor visit and finds his second wife packing up to leave him. At this point, things in Harvey's life start to really go down hill.After this, he finds himself dateless and lonely. And, it's no wonder. Harvey is so frumpy looking and walks around with his head down and shoulders bent as though he has a big chip on his shoulders.One day, Harvey is at a yard sale looking for that quarter priced bargain. He runs into a friend that introduces him to a well known comic book writer, Robert Crumb. Robert and Harvey become fast friends and start hanging out together, listening to music, with Harvey reading and Robert drawing characters for his comics.After a few scenes, Harvey is at the grocery store and is waiting in line to check out. He is held up by a lady who is arguing with the store manager over a price of one of her items. This is when Harvey gets his brilliant idea to write comics about his everyday life. Of course, the characters he draws are all stick figures. Because Harvey can't draw, he'll need to find someone to do this for him.We then see Harvey at home, working all night on this idea of his. Morning comes and it's time to go to work. He decides to take the material he has been working on with him so he can get the opinions of his coworkers. They all agree what Harvey has created is good. He then takes his work to his comic book friend, Robert, who also approves of Harvey's writing. Robert takes the material to have it published.Harvey then meets a girl, Joyce, a comic book enthusiast who works at a comic book store on the east coast. She can't find Harvey's latest issue so she decides to write him a letter to request a copy of his latest edition. Harvey calls her and they begin a telephone relationship. Joyce decides to visit Harvey. She moves in with him and they get married.Everything that portrays Harvey is depressing. The lighting and lack of color contribute to this depressed feeling that Harvey has. It's like a dark cloud follows him wherever he goes. In fact, Harvey is a very depressing person. It's written all over him. Everything is dull and drab. His clothes, apartment and even the areas of town he walks around in are colorless.Something else that contributes to Harvey's character is the repetitive idea of how things don't seem to go his way. He feels things should happen without any effort on his part. We see this idea repeated in several scenes where Harvey is walking around in a depressing part of town with his hands in his pockets and a scowl on his face. His apartment is depressing with junk, books and dirty dishes laying all around. And, we see Harvey always laying around, listening to music and reading. To me, these scenes convey how Harvey looks and feels about life, his life.His wife, Joyce, is depressing, too. She never smiles, nor does she show much expression. Even Joyce lays around in bed all day. So, we see this depressing pattern throughout the movie.Another movie I've seen that's based on the character is Citizen Kane. We watch how Charles Foster Kane, the main character, builds his newspaper empire. In American Splendor, we see how Harvey builds his comic book business. Although Harvey's business isn't what you would call an empire, it is something he has created. Both movies are built on the character's life.I like movies where the theme is about a person and their life. Especially, when it's a true story. It's very interesting to see the lives of others and watch how they grow into the person they are. Even though the title of this movie is the name of Harvey's comic book series, the comic book represents the main character and the writer, which is the theme of this movie.

I can't believe this abysmal trash has managed to attract a 7+ rating. It's very rare to find a film with absolutely nothing to offer, but 'American Splendor' has achieved this feat and then some.The film revolves around a one-dimensional character who is trying to make a living as a comic-book writer. He goes to the shops, chats with his friends, has dinner....and that's about it.The fact that nothing happens wouldn't be such a problem if the characters were interesting or likable. They are neither. It's just the day to day life of a dull man, doing dull things with his dull friends.Things I would rather do than watch this train-wreck of a movie again would include getting stabbed.Absolutely awful!