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American Splendor (2003)

tomatometer

94

Average Rating: 8.3/10
Reviews Counted: 179
Fresh: 168 | Rotten: 11

Exhilarating both stylistically and for its entertaining, moving portrayal of an everyman, American Splendor is a portrait of a true underground original.

100

Average Rating: 8.6/10
Critic Reviews: 42
Fresh: 42 | Rotten: 0

Exhilarating both stylistically and for its entertaining, moving portrayal of an everyman, American Splendor is a portrait of a true underground original.

audience

84

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 41,305

My Rating

Movie Info

The documentary directing team of Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman makes their narrative feature debut with the biographical comedy drama American Splendor. Harvey Pekar (Paul Giamatti) is a comic book writer inspired by the work of his friend Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak). Pekar writes his comics about the sad monotony of everyday life, based on his own life in Cleveland, OH, working as a file clerk at a veteran's hospital and spending his time reading books and listening to jazz. He

Feb 3, 2004

$6.0M

Fine Line Features

Cast

All Critics (181) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (171) | Rotten (11) | DVD (25)

A glorious rebuke to all this summer's recycled, effects-ridden, laboriously "fun" Hollywood disappointments piled along the wayside like so many crashed cars.

August 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Newsweek | Comment
Newsweek
Top Critic IconTop Critic

We're constantly kept on our toes regarding issues of representation while Pekar's sour but indefatigible working-class skepticism carries us along.

April 17, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It would be a mistake to regard American Splendor as an anthem for the common man. It is the uncommon that is being celebrated here.

August 7, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Magazine | Comment
New York Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

If Harvey Pekar is a brilliant oddity so is the movie that tells his story.

September 12, 2003 Comment
Orlando Sentinel
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Pulcini and Berman have inventively rethought the notion of the biopic, and the results are audacious.

August 29, 2003 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The kind of movie that sticks with you for days, your admiration growing each time you remember it.

August 29, 2003 Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | Comment
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Earthy, gritty and real; for older kids.

December 21, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's biopic about Harvey Pekar - who injected schadenfreude into the superhero-comics world - wonderfully etches one man's exploration of using misery as a creative outlet and, eventually, a critical coping mechanism.

September 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com | Comment
Suite101.com

The rare artist biopic that goes beyond the dull march of events and actually illuminates the creative process.

July 14, 2010 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

The film gives a charming, funny, and many times engrossing account of Pekar which will surely please fans and garner some new ones and I liked it a lot.

April 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | Comment
Cinema Crazed

American Splendor is certainly one of the most complete, satisfying and entertaining hybrid of documentary and dramatisation, as well as of live action and 2D animation/comic stills.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | Comment
Urban Cinefile

Un film assez lent, mais au récit tout de même fort bien construit

August 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Panorama | Comment

A life affirming experience, perhaps even a life changing one.

December 7, 2007 Full Review Source: Eye for Film | Comment
Eye for Film

The movie is as unclassifiable as the comic -- neither documentary nor biopic, or maybe both.

July 23, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

Mr. Giamatti and Ms. Davis seem to feed off each other, bringing out the best performances we've seen from these actors.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | Comment
Big Picture Big Sound

If you can get through the confusing goings-on of the first reel, then this is a satisfying experience -- funny, touching and tragic by turns. And Giamatti deserves every award going.

December 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | Comment
Empire Magazine

Hugely enjoyable and very clever portrait of Harvey Pekar.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

The blend of styles results in an edgy, touching, original story about a working-class man who channels his gloom, grime and longing into comic art

November 1, 2005 Comment

I expected more from a movie that took home gold in Cannes and wowed 'em at Sundance.

March 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Bangitout.com | Comment
Bangitout.com

Giamatti is excellent as Pekar and Hope Davis delivers another wonderful performance as Pekar's third wife Joyce.

March 5, 2005 Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | Comment
NYC Film Critic

American Splendor, despite being interesting and likeable, is a film that could be truly enjoyed only by the fans of Harvey Pekar's work

February 28, 2005 Full Review | Comment

I was personally a little bored with this film, and didn't exactly get into this guy's life or so-called witty quips about every day life.

February 5, 2005 Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | Comment (1)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

Berman and Pulcini's portrait of Pekar is primarily an affectionate one, finding nobility and heroism amidst the unhygienic details

January 15, 2005 Full Review Source: Looking Closer | Comment
Looking Closer
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for American Splendor

Real Harvey: If you think reading comics about your life seems strange, try watching a play about it. God only knows how I'll feel when I see this movie. "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff."American Splendor is a very inventive and original biography. The movie jumps through time with its character, Harvey Peckar,

November 28, 2011
blkbomb
Melvin White

Super Reviewer

I am a great fan of Harvey Pekar and was excited when I first sat down to watch this hand made bio-pic of the legendary comic book character. I think the casting could have been stronger, but aside from that the construction of this film is of the highest quality. As one of the most cynical and down on his luck

November 16, 2010
theunknownhobo
Unknown Hobo

Super Reviewer

    1. Harvey Pekar: Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.
    – Submitted by Chad E (7 months ago)

Movies Like American Splendor

Latest News for American Splendor

July 12, 2010:
American Splendor Author Harvey Pekar Dead at 70
Comic-book writer Harvey Pekar (PEE'-kahr), whose "American Splendor" was made into a 2003 film...

December 4, 2009:
Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
Five or six years ago, the Sundance Film Festival was more famous for showing dozens of worthy,...

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