American Splendor

Name: American Splendor
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: August 15, 2003
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Harvey Pekar, Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman

2003

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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American Splendor

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Films | Release Date: August 15, 2003 | TV-MA

Starring: Harvey Pekar, Paul Giamatti, Shari Springer Berman

Summary: The true saga of a working-class Everyman who pursues self-expression without self-censorship -- and finds a grateful audience, critical admiration, and that most remarkable of happy endings, a loving family. (Fine Line Features)

Director: Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 101 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

It's a humane and witty treatment of an average life that, incidentally, speaks to the worth and inherent drama of average lives. Read full review

100

Desson Thomson

Superbly conceived anti-biopic. Read full review

Shawn Levy

Thoroughly unique work of art. Read full review

Mark Sells

Though it has many moments of sarcasm and humor, the overall tone, like the comics themselves, is a depressing one. Read full review

Liam Lacey

The best American movie so far this year. Read full review

James Berardinelli

American Splendor is deserving of accolades, not only because it tells an interesting story about a fascinating man, but because it does so with such freedom and freshness. I wish more of the comic book-inspired movies were like this. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Pekar's autobiographical chronicle of day-to-day banality is a rich, if dingy, tapestry of ordinary life in all its infinite, homely peculiarity, which filmmakers Sheri Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini bring to uniquely eccentric life. Read full review

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User Reviews

russellkruz

Nov 6, 2006

fantastic film.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

ButteredP.

Dec 3, 2006

I've seen this move twice and I have to say, it's one of the best I've seen in some time. A great deal of humor lies just beneath the surface, and often times, it's just the absurdity and irony of the situation that is so unbelievably funny. Very inventive mingling of I've seen this move twice and I have to say, it's one of the best I've seen in some time. A great deal of humor lies just beneath the surface, and often times, it's just the absurdity and irony of the situation that is so unbelievably funny. Very inventive mingling of real people with their onscreen correlatives, and while this may be the one movie you'd think would not stoop to a happy ending.... well, see for yourself.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

alejandro970

Jul 22, 2018

Paul Giamatti in the top of the mountain, in the shoes of a working class superhero with no superpowers, no dazzling thights; just only his own life in his own words. The plot has the ingenous resource of comic vignettes, that makes it one of best screenplays of graphic novels.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

Mar 17, 2016

Finally, something worth watching that's been Americanized. If you're American, don't miss your only chance to see this once-in-a-lifetime movie worth watching.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Mar 14, 2021

"Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff." ~ Harvey Pekar

In his comics, Harvey Pekar talked about the unadorned everyday life and that's something this film represents wonderfully. It's life itself, his life. A simple film, exactly like the material from which it's inspired, and yet it's"Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff." ~ Harvey Pekar

In his comics, Harvey Pekar talked about the unadorned everyday life and that's something this film represents wonderfully.

It's life itself, his life.

A simple film, exactly like the material from which it's inspired, and yet it's more comforting and rewarding than many other pretentious films.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RobertBrogan

Sep 27, 2015

American Splendor is quite the postmodern film. It's an interesting take on life from the POV of a normal eccentric man. The film itself is normal eccentric, neither straightforward nor weird. Those who enjoy aspects of postmodernism such as messiness and infinite regress will likely enjoyAmerican Splendor is quite the postmodern film. It's an interesting take on life from the POV of a normal eccentric man. The film itself is normal eccentric, neither straightforward nor weird. Those who enjoy aspects of postmodernism such as messiness and infinite regress will likely enjoy American Splendor. And, of course, Paul Giamatti is great in it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ChristopherJ.

Mar 20, 2007

I was excited about watching it, but then I didn't like it that much. It seemed to me like to much unjustified bitterness, if I remember correctly. I tried to watch it again, but I fell asleep.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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