American Splendor

Shari Springer Bergman & Robert Pulcini, USA, 2003, 101 minutes

In the past few years, cinema audiences have had to contend with a glut of comic-book-to-big-screen adaptations, from the exceptionally dismal Hulk to the less than inspiring Daredevil and X-Men 2. When, oh when, will we get a truly wonderful comic book adaptation? The answer: now!

Harvey Pekar is not a superhero. He’s your average Pittsburgh male, filling time in a dead-end job with dead-end workmates. One day, inspired by his friend and underground comic-book artist Robert Crumb, Harvey begins writing his comic strip - no superheroes, no villains. Simply his life, entitled "American Splendor". The strip takes off and Harvey is thrust into the limelight as an unlikely star. He then meets a fan, Joyce Barber, who he eventually marries. The ensuing storyline is one of coping with unwanted fame.

The film is this true story of Harvey’s life; blending reconstructed scenes (Harvey played to a 'T’ by Paul Giamatti), real-life interviews with Pekar, Joyce and others from Harvey’s life and also stock footage from television archives. However, the most fascinating thing about this film is in the inertia of the characters; you feel almost enraged by the characters’ lack of drive and ambition, seemingly content to wallow in the pits of despair each had created. Many people complain about comic book films being utterly far-fetched, and real life adaptation being totally dull. This comic book film about real life rejects both criticisms - it is realistic and mundane yet highly compelling.

Forget the cliches about the American dream; American Splendor tells you there is no dreaming in the big city.

Review by Niko Ovended
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2004