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American Splendor (2003)

Film information

Based on: The comic books by Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner

Story: Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, this biographical comedy drama by documentary makers Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Sherman fuses live-action film, archive footage and animation to tell the story of comic book writer Harvey Pekar (played in the live action sections of the film by Paul Giamatti). Harvey leads a dull, monotonous life, working as a file clerk at a local veterans' hospital. At home, he fills his days by reading, writing and listening to jazz, and compulsively collects books and records which fill the walls and floors of his apartment. Inspired by the work of his friend Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak), Harvey writes comics about the minor trials and tribulations of everyday life, and gradually attains celebrity status as his work gains initially a cult and then a mainstream following. Despite his newfound success, it is his meeting with sardonic comic store owner Joyce Brabner (Hope Davis) that changes his life most profoundly. The two marry within days of their first meeting, and go on to co-write a book-length comic based on their life together, 'Our Cancer Year'.

Starring: Paul Giamatti, James Urbaniak, Hope Davis, Judah Friedlander, Shari Springer Berman, Earl Billings, Madylin Sweeten

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Music by: Mark Suozzo, Eytan Mirsky

Produced by: Ted Hope

Written by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

DVD information

Studio/distributor: High Fliers Video Distribution

Other releases of this film

American Splendor (2003) (Retail Only)

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