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Bartleby (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 53
Fresh: 19
Rotten:34
Average Rating: 5.1/10
Consensus: Bartleby is a rather dull affair, stretched over a too-long running time.
Synopsis: Former musician Jonathan Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with a modern retelling of the Herman Melville classic, BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER. The off-kilter comedy follows the boss of a... Former musician Jonathan Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with a modern retelling of the Herman Melville classic, BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER. The off-kilter comedy follows the boss of a public records company (played by David Paymer), whose life slowly begins to unravel when he hires a new employee. The quiet and reserved clerk, Bartleby (Crispin Glover), is at first a welcome addition to the office, especially when compared to the distracting presences of sultry secretary Vivian (Glenne Headly), macho Rocky (Joe Piscopo), and whiny Ernie (Maury Chaykin). But when the boss's requests for Bartleby to perform any tasks other than filing, his enigmatic replies of, "I would prefer not to," begin to test everyone's patience. The situation becomes more troubling when the boss learns that Bartleby has, in fact, begun to sleep in the office. Fed up with his inability to perform the simplest of tasks, he fires Bartleby, who remains in the office nonetheless. Finally, the boss moves locations in order to break free from the mysterious void of a man, who has formed a strange attachment to the building. This doesn't provide a refuge from Bartleby's presence, however, which continues to haunt him at every waking moment. A colorful and quirky tale, BARTLEBY features another bizarre performance from the always-eccentric Glover. [More]
Starring: Crispin Glover, David Paymer, Glenne Headly, Joe Piscopo
Starring: Crispin Glover, David Paymer, Glenne Headly, Joe Piscopo, Maury Chaykin, Seymour Cassel, Carrie Snodgress
Director: Jonathan Parker
Director: Jonathan Parker
Screenwriter: Jonathan Parker, Catherine di Napoli
Story: Herman Melville
Producer: Jonathan Parker
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Reviews for Bartleby
Glover is perfect for the role, and Paymer lends a strange, almost addictive voice to his character’s vocal style.
Melville is often favored for his troubled heroes on their obsessive, nihilistic journeys into the abyss. Of course this kind of thing can be easy to screw up on film, as Parker has done here.
What was subtle and mystifying in the novella is now broad and farcical.
Paymer and Glover are terrific as the perplexed boss and the laconic non-performing employee.
It's a film that hinges on its casting, and Glover really doesn't fit the part.
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