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American Splendor (2003)
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The mundane life of a working-class everyman is celebrated in all its minor detail in this imaginative biopic of American underground comic-book writer Harvey Pekar. The first feature from documentary film-makers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, it brilliantly captures the humanity and acidic humour of the Cleveland hospital filing clerk who turned his everyday experiences into the cult, autobiographical publication American Splendor. True to the spirit of this comic-book series, the sharp and quirky movie utilises a range of visually invigorating techniques to illustrate Harvey's existence, past and present. As well as including authentic archival footage, the directors present the curmudgeonly author in animated form, as his real-life self and, in the picture's main body, as a dramatised character. In this latter guise, Paul Giamatti gives a wry and endearing performance, while Hope Davis similarly excels as his sardonic soulmate and wife, Joyce. The combined result is a total delight that transforms an ordinary Joe into a genuine hero. SF
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| Contains swearing. |
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Tell us what you think
Email us at rtfilmcomments@bbc.co.uk to tell us what you think of this film. Your comments may appear in Radio Times magazine.
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Running time
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97min
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Country of origin
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US
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Genre
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Biographical Drama
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Original language
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English
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Screenplay
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Shari Springer Berman, from the comic-book series by Harvey Pekar, from the comic book Our Cancer Year by Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner
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Theatrical distributor
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Optimum Releasing
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UK cinema certificate
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15
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UK cinema release date
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January 2004
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| awards information |
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Award |
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Name |
Nominee/Winner |
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| Academy 2003 |
Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) |
Shari Springer Berman |
Nominee |
| Academy 2003 |
Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) |
Robert Pulcini |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2003 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Motion Picture |
Hope Davis |
Nominee |
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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