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American Splendor
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Synopsis
The documentary directing team of Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman makes their narrative feature debut with the biographical comedy drama American Splendor. Harvey Pekar (Paul Giamatti) is a comic book writer inspired by the work of his friend Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak). Pekar writes his comics about the sad monotony of everyday life, based on his own life in Cleveland, OH, working as a file clerk at a veteran's hospital and spending his time reading books and listening to jazz. He meets up with Joyce Brabner (Hope Davis) and they enjoy a depressive relationship together. The filmmakers employ a combination of live-action film, video, and animation, including narration and commentary from the real-life Harvey Pekar. The screenplay was based on Pekar's comic book series American Splendor, which he has been writing since 1976 on Dark Horse Comics, and the 1994 book-length comic Our Cancer Year, written by Pekar and Brabner. American Splendor won the Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic Competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Cast

Earl Billings Mr. Boats
Hope Davis Joyce Brabner
Paul Giamatti Harvey Pekar
Maggie Moore Alice Quinn
James McCaffrey Fred
Shari Springer Berman Interviewer
James Urbaniak Robert Crumb
Madylin Sweeten Danielle
Judah Friedlander Toby Radloff
Harvey Pekar Real Harvey
Joyce Brabner Real Joyce
Danielle Batone Real Danielle

Production Crew

Twinkle Animator
Julia King Associate Producer
Harvey Pekar Book Author
Joyce Brabner Book Author
Ann Goulder Casting
Terry Stacey Cinematographer
Mark Suozzo Composer (Music Score)
Michael Wilkinson Costume Designer
Robert Pulcini Director
Shari Springer Berman Director
Robert Pulcini Editor
Chip Signore First Assistant Director
Linda Cohen Musical Direction/Supervision
Ted Hope Producer
Therese DePrez Production Designer
Robert Pulcini Screenwriter
Shari Springer Berman Screenwriter
Robert Desue Set Designer
Whit Norris Sound/Sound Designer
Nicholas Renbeck Supervising Sound Editor
Twinkle Visual Effects
Year: 2003
Runtime: 100
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: R
for language
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy Drama

Produced by
Good Machine
HBO Independent Productions

Release
August 15, 2003 (USA - Limited)
by Fine Line Features
HBO Films

Awards
2003 - Best Breakthrough Actor - National Board of Review
2003 - Best Film - National Society of Film Critics
2003 - Best First Feature - Toronto Film Critics Association
2003 - Best First Feature - Toronto Film Critics Association
2003 - Best Picture - Chicago Film Critics Association
2003 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Award
2003 - Best Picture - L.A. Film Critics Association
2003 - Dramatic Grand Jury Prize - Sundance Film Festival
2003 - Special Jury Prize - Deauxville Festival of American Films
2003 - Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking - National Board of Review
2003 - Special Jury Prize - Deauville Film Festival
2003 - Best Picture - American Film Institute
2003 - Best First Film - New York Film Critics Circle
2003 - Best First Film - New York Film Critics Circle
2003 - Best Picture - National Society of Film Critics
2003 - Best Picture - Los Angeles Film Critics Association
2003 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Awards