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American Splendor
R
Opening at Ritz theaters tomorrow
Three-and-a-half reels out of four
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If I say a movie is "weird," I’m generally warning viewers to stay away. But in the case of American Splendor, weird fits — and this time, it’s a compliment. This is one of the most honest, funny and, yes, weird films to come along in quite some time.
Harvey Pekar is a schlubby file clerk at the Veterans Hospital in Cleveland. While looking for 78s one day at a yard sale, he meets a fellow music fiend, Robert Crumb. Years later, when Crumb has become a successful underground artist, Harvey shares an idea for a comic strip. Crumb likes it so much, he offers to illustrate it for him. It is through Crumb’s cult status that Harvey meets his eventual wife, Joyce Brabner.
Pekar, in case you didn’t know, is known mainly for his comic book American Splendor — credited for putting the autobiographical comic-book genre on the map and winning the creator a National Book Award in 1987. It is known for its humorous, almost banal take on everyday life.
American Splendor marks the feature film debut for co-directors Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman. The real-life husband and wife team made documentaries before this. They have taken a bold but totally fitting approach to this film with ample live footage — sometimes humorous but very real.
Paul Giamatti plays Pekar, and he is by far one of the best actors working in film today. Even in bad movies, his performances stand out with his crazy energy and goofy appearance. He is, in a word, stunning in American Splendor. His portrayal of the main character is a true achievement, for Pekar is an acquired taste. I hope the Academy has the gumption to give Giamatti the Oscar nomination he so richly deserves.
It is appropriate that the life of Harvey Pekar should be brought to film by documentary makers, as truth is an integral part of his existence. But in the film version, Pekar seems to be in on the joke. He knows he’s a little off and seems to get a kick out of it.
You should get a kick out of American Splendor. You might even think it’s a little weird.
Raising Victor Vargas
R
Available Tuesday
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At last, an independent film that looks like an independent film. Peter Sollet’s sweet, genuine tale of young love in Manhattan’s Lower East Side has no stars but plenty of moxie. Like most of his compatriots, Hispanic teenager Victor Vargas (Victor Rasiuk) can talk the talk, but he can’t walk the walk when it comes to the ladies. When Victor meets sultry but inaccessible Judy (Judy Marte), he becomes a changed man. Victor also must contend with his stern but well-intentioned grandma (Altagracia Guzman), who is convinced he’s a bad influence on his siblings.
Movie schedules until Aug.28 unless otherwise indicated. Call theaters for updates.
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219
*Marci X (R)
Fri-Thu.: 1:10, 3:20, 6:55, 9:30
*My Boss’s Daughter (PG-13)
Fri-Thu.: 11:40, 2:10, 4:30, 7, 9:35
*The Medallion (PG-13)
Fri-Thu.: 12:10, 2:20, 4:45, 7:35, 9:40
*Freddy vs. Jason (R)
Fri.-Thu.: 12, 12:30, 2:30, 3, 5, 5:30, 7:30, 8, 10:15, 10:45
*Grind (PG-13)
Fri-Mon., Thu.: 1:50
Tue-Wed.: 11:30
*Open Range (R)
Fri.-Thu.: 12:40, 3:45, 7:15, 10, 10:30
*Uptown Girls (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 2, 4:20, 7:10, 9:45
*S.W.A.T. ((PG-13)
Fri-Mon.: 11:50 a.m., 1, 2:50, 4, 4:40, 5:40, 7:05, 7:40, 8:40, 9:50, 10:40
Tue-Wed.: 11:50 a.m., 1, 2:50, 4, 5:40, 7:05, 8:40, 9:50, 10:40
Thu.: 11:50 a.m., 1, 2:50, 4, 4:15, 5:40, 7:05, 8:40, 9:50, 10:40
*Freaky Friday (PG)
Fri-Thu.: 12:15, 2:55, 5:20, 7:50, 10:10
*American Wedding (R)
Fri-Sun.: 12:05, 2:35, 5:05, 7:45, 10:05
*Lara Craft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (PG-13)
Fri-Thu.: 1:40, 4:50, 7:55, 10:35
*Seabiscuit (PG-13)
Fri-Thu.: 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15
*Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (PG)
Fri-Thu.: 12:20, 2:40, 4:55, 7:25
*Bad Boys II (R)
Fri-Thu.: 11:55 a.m., 3:25, 6:50, 10:25
*Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13)
Fri-Thu.: 12:25, 3:50, 7:20, 10:20
*Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines (R)
Tue-Wed.: 2, 4:30, 7:40
CENTER CITY
Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900
*Step Into Liquid (R)
Fri-Thu.: 1, 3:15, 5:25, 7:40, 9:50
*The Magdalene Sisters (R)
Fri-Thu.: 12:30, 1:30, 3:10, 4:10, 5:45, 7, 8:30, 9:45
*Camp (PG-13)
Fri.-Thu.: 12, 2:25, 5:10, 7:25, 9:55
*Dirty Pretty Things (R)
Fri-Thu.: 12:45, 3, 5:20, 7:35, 9:55
Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-7900
*The Holy Land (NR)
Fri-Thu.: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:35, 10
*Le Divorce (PG-13)
Fri-Tue., Thu.: 12:35, 1:45, 3:10, 4:20, 5:45, 7, 8:20, 9:35
Wed.: 12:35, 3:10, 4:20, 5:45, 8:20, 10
*The Secret Lives Of Dentists (R)
Fri-Thu.: 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9
*Swimming Pool (R)
Fri-Thu.: 12:40, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 10
Ritz East
Second Street Between Chestnut and Walnut
215-925-7900
*American Splendor (R)
Fri-Tue., Thu.: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 3:50, 5:10, 6:10, 7:30, 8:30, 9:50
Wed.: 12:30, 1:30, 2:50, 3:50, 5:10, 6:10, 8:30, 10
Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-6699
*Whale Rider (PG-13)
Mon-Fri.: 5, 7:25, 9:35
Sat-Sun.: 12:30, 2:40, 5, 7:25, 9:35
*Uptown Girls (PG-13)
Fri. & Mon.-Thu.: 5:30, 7:30, 9:30
Sat.-Sun.: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:25, 9:35 SPR
