American Splendor

2 Ratings: 3.5

A movie

This is the true story of a file clerk working at a Cleveland Veterans hospital, who on the side, struggles to achieve success as a writer with comic books about his experiences.

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Love it - the everyman loser we all identify with

Nov 6, 2003

by Fudge23
posted in Movie Hype

Rating:

Pros: Documentary on cult figures Harvey Pekar and Crumb

Cons: Not for everyone - not many people know who they are

The Bottom Line: An expose on the working man in middle American. A common man versus the machine of American.

I was predisposed to this film and I loved Crumb and have been a fan of his comic notably Felix the Cat and the Keep on Trucking fellow.

Comic Books people are strange and smart people. There is a certain breed that loves comics. Pekar is the anti-hero everyman slob and underachiever who goes through life disgruntled.

He hates his life and the situations he finds himself in but there is a comic genius that he doesn't see. The everyman who gets aggravated by waiting in lines of stupid people at the check out lanes, hates his menial job as a file clerk, can't understand why he is a failure with women. In it's totality it is really funny with some sad moments. He realizes he is a loser (as we all secretly fear about ourselves).

He is able to overcome his anxiety and self loathing by writing about himself and then uses illustrator Crumb to animate them which turns out to be a success!

The movie itself is a good one with twists and clever filming techniques that defy categorizations. It's a documentary, animated film, drama, love story, love story all rolled into one.

It taps into the fear that we are all losers in some capacity and that if we can just tap into the pain of existence we become elevated.

Beautifully filmed and great acting by the main characters. Through the film, we get to meet the actual subjects which makes it more compelling.

A feel good movie that triumphs with the truth and integrity of the honest working man and the trials and tribulations of daily life in working class Cleveland.

Not for everyone, but for those who want to see real human emotion, suffering, and eventual success by maintaing his own identify.

Recommended:
Yes

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