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This odd little film sprinted out of the Sundance Festival with critical accolades and awards most film directors (and writers) only daydream about. In fact, that's what Harvey Pekar (Paul Giamatti and Harvey Pekar) really does for a living; while he suffers the routine of his VA job as a file clerk, he daydreams about becoming an icon in the underground comics world by portraying his daily, mundane life. When we meet Pekar his life has taken a tailspin of sorts; his wife has left him because of the drab and mundane lifestyle Harvey has embraced and his job seems to provide him with the only touchstone with reality. As he chronicles his daily trials and tribulations with his stick figure drawings and unique, nebbish voice as a writer, he manages to win over fans in both the underground comic book world and those drawn to the subculture. ***

In fact, Pekar's second wife is a fan of his work; Joyce Brabner (Hope Davis and Joyce Brabner) writes to him initially as she admires his work. Shortly after they meet and begin going out, Pekar feels compelled to confess that she doesn't have any worries as he's had a vasectomy As As she points out, they elect to skip the whole courtship ritual and jump right into marriage. The film and real life intersect as the real people appear as themselves interjecting commentary on the proceedings and even appearing opposite the actors that portray them in a number of surreal moments scattered about the film. A mixture of documentary, drama and surreal fantasy American Splendor is an unusual film that eschews the normal narrative structure of conventional Hollywood documentaries and docudramas. The result is a refreshing, candid, funny and touching portrayal of an average individual with a burning desire to create and succeeding against all odds. ***

An "epic" film that beckons viewers to it for its very unusual technique examining a very ordinary life, American Splendor succeeds because of the warmth of the characters and real people involved as much for its style. It's well worth viewing although you should be warned that the disjointed nature and lack of a traditional narrative may take some getting used to by viewers.

Given the various stocks used and techniques used to film the "drama" and the "real world", the picture quality is fairly consistent and looks very good for the most part. The transfer isn't in anamorphic widescreen near as I can tell but still looks sharp and vivid. The blacks are solid and the colors. The sound isn't designed to wow the viewer but it does envelope you in the world presented.