American Splendor

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Harvey Pekar, Shari Springer Berman, Earl Billings, James Urbaniak

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

RS: 3.5of 4 Stars

2003 Drama

American Splendor presents Harvey Pekar as such a mess that Robert Crumb, who shambled through his own 1994 documentary, comes off as the picture of suavity next to his buddy Harvey. Paul Giamatti brilliantly captures Pekar's essential shlubbiness -- back hair and all -- but when the real Pekar shows up in archival David Letterman appearances, there's a wit and liveliness that's missing from his fictional version. The movie is always involving and frequently funny, particularly in exchanges with Harvey's Uber-nerd friend Toby Radloff about Revenge of the Nerds. But the filmmakers appear to have been more interested in showing off their mix of fiction, documentary and animation techniques than in bringing Pekar's crusty intellect to the screen.

The overcrowded commentary, with at least seven voices vying for attention, is dominated by Pekar's wife, Joyce Brabner, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen Hope Davis' portrayal of her. When Pekar's cell phone rings in the middle of the discussion, you can't blame him for actually taking the call.

PETER TRAVERS
(January 29, 2004)