American Splendor
Seen it?2003 | 101 min | Comedy, Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it collected a shelf of major awards. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Ghost World, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 90 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Award: Best Screenplay — Adapted. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe and 5 Independent Spirit Awards. Plus 26 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$6 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 85K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman
- Paul GiamattiHarvey Pekar
- Hope DavisJoyce Brabner
- Judah FriedlanderToby Radloff
- James UrbaniakRobert Crumb
- Earl BillingsMr. Boats
- James McCaffreyFred
- Maggie MooreAlice Quinn
- Vivienne BeneschLana
- Daniel TayYoung Harvey
- Harvey PekarReal Harvey