Review of American Splendor (2003) by Jason C — 17 Feb 2012

I recently finished reading an anthology, The Best of American Splendor. It gave me a nice overview of the underground comic before seeing this movie about the life of Harvey Pekar. This comic book adaptation is more my style than Sin City.

Pekar's voice in so unique in describing mundane life and funny conversations with random people in Cleveland. This movie covers a lot of the same themes and events from throughout Pekar's life as the anthology did, but I would say it is even more complete.

This is almost a documentary with Giamatti and the other professional actors providing reenactments of real events. I loved the way interviews with the real Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner and Toby Radloff were mixed into the narrative.

The graphics that allow the scenes to pop out of comic book frames are great as is the soundtrack. From writing about his passion, jazz, to looking for love to dealing with his dead-end job to chasing fame through his comics to facing cancer, Pekar is a treasure and everyman hero.

Giamatti and Davis are stellar at playing this different breed of celebrity couple. I feel such an affinity for Harvey and plan to read more of his comics.