This is a
solidly entertaining but somewhat detached look
at underground comic Harvey Pekar. Featuring an
outstanding performance by Paul Giamatti, who
simply owns this role, the film blossoms thanks
to its Oscar-nominated script by Shari Springer
Berman and Robert Pulcini. Pekar is, of course,
quite the unique character and this is
beautifully portrayed by Giamatti. Perhaps it is
this uniqueness that created most of my struggle
with the film. Pekar is really never totally
likeable...or unlikable for that matter...much
of the time he's just an average Joe living an
average existence. I also enjoyed Hope Davis in
the role of his wife, Joyce Brabner...and the
recall of his appearances on David Letterman's
show. James Urbaniak does a dead-on impression
of Robert Crumb, who illustrated the works of
Pekar...and the supporting cast is all solid.
The film features fun "small" performances by
Pekar himself and even Molly Shannon.
This is a beautifully shot, uniquely directed
film that it would be impossible to not enjoy on
some level. Yet I had a hard time emotionally
connecting to it. Even during Pekar's cancer
challenges, I had a hard time caring about his
welfare. This lack of connection keeps me from
putting this film in the "A" range...but, thanks
to a well-developed script, strong performances
and unique construction I give it a solid B+.
Fans of independent, unique cinema should enjoy
this film and fans of Crumb and Pekar simply
must see this film.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
This film is
as cranky as its subject, Harvey Pekar. I
was consistently interested in this film despite
the fact that I thought it was rather cold and
uninvolving. I never really cared that
much about Giamatti's Pekar. That being
said, I thought the film was ingenious at times,
had enough funny moments, and delivered enough
interesting material to make this a good film to
watch once... only once.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
