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Factotum (2005)

6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 9,453 users   Metascore: 71/100
Reviews: 77 user | 115 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com

This drama centers on Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of "Factotum" author Charles Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles, CA trying to live off jobs which don't interfere with his primary interest, which is writing. Along the way, he fends off the distractions offered by women, drinking and gambling.

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(novel), , 1 more credit »
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Title: Factotum (2005)

Factotum (2005) on IMDb 6.6/10

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3 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Jan
Didier Flamand ...
Pierre
...
Manny
...
...
Jerry
...
Grace
...
Tony Endicott (as Tom Lyons)
Dean Brewington ...
Old Black Man
James Cada ...
Bald Man
James Michael Detmar ...
Smithson
Kurt Schweickhardt ...
Ice Plant Supervisor
Dee Noah ...
Hank's Mother
James Noah ...
Hank's Father
Michael Egan ...
Taxi Office Clerk
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Storyline

Self-declared aspiring writer Hank Chinaski has neither qualifications, ambition nor ethics. Any dead-end job he lands is soon lost through laziness or mischief. His relationship with fellow deadbeat Jan gets strained to crisis through her insecurity, so he even gives up betting on horses which brought in easy money. Written by KGF Vissers

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

writer | writing | gambling | drinking | money | See more »

Taglines:

From the book by Charles Bukowski See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| | | |

Language:

Release Date:

29 April 2005 (Norway)  »

Also Known As:

Factotum: A Man Who Performs Many Jobs  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$59,212 (USA) (18 August 2006)

Gross:

$808,221 (USA) (8 December 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sean Penn was the first choice for the role of Henry Chinaski. See more »

Goofs

Despite the fact that the film takes place in Los Angeles, the filming location of Minneapolis is clearly revealed in the shots of the skyline and the area codes of the phone numbers on the sides of the taxicabs. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Ice Plant Supervisor: Chinaski! Hey! Chinaski, come on out here! You got a drivers license, don't you?
Henry Chinaski: Yeah.
Ice Plant Supervisor: I got a driver out sick today. We got some rush orders we need to get out right away. I need you to make these deliveries.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hand of Glory (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

"Where Breathing Starts"
(Excerpts)
Music by Tord Gustavsen
Performed by Tord Gustavsen Trio
By courtesy of Tord Gustavsen/ECM
Sound Recording Copyright ECM Records 2003
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Hamers take on Bukowski's alter ego
27 June 2005 | by (Tellus) – See all my reviews

Hamer is a wonderful director and is well suited to adapt a life so besoffened as Henry Chinaski's is, with its peculiar humour. That said, the full potential of Bukowski is not realized and probably would never be outside of the books. Its still close though. Some sequences, like for instance, the pickle factory is very funny in true spirit of Buk's work.

What may scare most fans away from this though, is pretty face Matt Dillon. He does not have the personality, understanding or the looks to match Chinaski. This is the main hindrance of this movie. Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei comes better off, giving solid performances.

If you're a fan of Buk, go check it out. If you're a fan of good cinema, check it out as well. Bent Hamer is a man of vision.


36 of 58 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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