IMDb > American Splendor (2003)
American Splendor
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American Splendor (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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American Splendor (2003) -- An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar.
American Splendor (2003) -- An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar.
American Splendor (2003) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   22,142 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Harvey Pekar (comic book series American Splendor) and
Joyce Brabner (comic book series Our Cancer Year) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for American Splendor on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 September 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.
Plot:
An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 28 wins & 32 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(70 articles)
The best comic book film adaptations of the decade?
 (From The Geek Files. 2 January 2010, 11:22 AM, PST)

An American Film Geek's Best of the Decade, 2000-2009
 (From Twitch. 31 December 2009, 10:29 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Paul Giamatti more (211 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language.
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jonathan Demme had tried to adapt a film version of "American Splendor" in the 1980s, but the project never came to fruition as Demme wasn't an established director. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: 38m00s into the DVD, there's a girl and a guy working in a comic store arguing about saving one issue aside for her whereas he sold all of them. Behind her are comics in protective covers, but standing upright on the wall on very thin shelves. A real comic store would affix the bags at the top edge, hanging them on the wall so that gravity doesn't cause the comics to "limp" and sag. more
Quotes:
Real Toby: So, how do you cope with loneliness, Harvey?
Real Harvey: Uh, did I say I watch television?
Real Toby: Yeah. You mentioned you watch TV, you listen to your jazz records, you read, you write. You do your stick figures so you could plan for your next comic book.
Real Harvey: Yeah.
Real Toby: 'Cause I've seen many of your stick figures and that seems to be pretty interesting.
Real Harvey: Yeah.
Real Toby: [looks at a jellybean tray] Mmm, chocolate jelly beans. I'm going to have to try one.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Taint Nobody's Bizness (If I Do) more

FAQ

How does it end?
more
21 out of 31 people found the following review useful.
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Paul Giamatti, 29 January 2005
10/10
Author: mmitsos-1 from Oak Brook

I'm sorry, but I just saw this movie this week on cable, and went out and bought the DVD immediately thereafter. I have since watched it about 15 times, so far. I'm not a comic book fan (at all), and I've never heard of Harvey Pekar (though perhaps vaguely remember his appearances on David Letterman, since seeing this film). Giamatti's performance alone is worth the time in watching this film. I don't think anything Brando, Pacino, or DeNiro has done, to name a few, compares to what Giamatti pulls off in this film. And with that said, perhaps I'm still too new and enthusiastic a viewer to be reviewing his performance. However, PG's every nuance, from his eyebrow twitches and raises, to the shrug of his shoulders, to his speech pattern, to the manner in which he says "OK, OK" early on to his doctor when he's getting his throat checked to his walk...EVERYTHING is just so wonderfully "channeled". He offers such a natural character, and whether or not he is Pekar spot on, I don't know. However, he created his own wonderful big little character. (The scene in which he is talking to Joyce (Hope Davis' character) on the phone, urging her to meet him in Cleveland, is quietly hysterical).

Hope Davis was also great, and it's amazing how much her natural voice and speech pattern resemble that of Pekar's wife. Full of laughs and pathos, in addition to wonderful jazz scores (I haven't checked if there's a soundtrack for the film...I hope that there is one)....this is a must-see film...absolutely brilliant! I don't even know if P. Giamatti was nominated for his performance, but he should have won every award that year, including the Oscar (or at least tie with Sean Penn). I know I have spent all this time commenting on just the two main characters, because they are both so breathtakingly brilliant in their interpretations. Therefore, I'll offer a note about the film overall as well.

First, the film is brilliantly executed. Combining both actors and original screenplay material along with some real-life footage of Harvey Pekar himself was very inventive. And, the use of this approach never bordered on being "cutesy" or clever, as Pekar's perspective and ongoing commentary truly validates the entire film. As I mentioned before, P. Giamatti seems to inhabit Pekar....and provides a very endearing portrait in the process. I have for so many years far preferred quieter, character-driven films, which happen to typically fall within the "indie" category. This film has simply solidified my love for character-driven stories. It is insightful, very droll, and full of pathos. I am now even contemplating subscribing to the comic book "American Splendor", and I am someone who ABSOLUTELY ABHORS all forms of animation. I particularly despise animated films, and only read "Cathy", "Dilbert", and "Doonesbury" from the strips. However, I might just start subscribing to "American Splendor". Because I missed this film when it first came out, I am not certain how large an audience it originally attracted, quite frankly. However, watching it has made me shun, just a little bit more, larger, Hollywood productions, including typical, cookie-cutter romantic comedies (as for another mass-produced Hollywood genre....action/adventure films...I've always hated them and never watch them). I won't turn into a snob and completely shun all Hollywood films, but there certainly is something to be said for quiet, thoughtful pieces that are accompanied by a refreshingly wonderful jazz soundtrack (too many films today appear to have been written around x number of popular songs...it can be quite annoying). As for this film, it's a treasure. Please rent it and ENJOY!

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