| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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Captured, Moved, Depressingly Haunted As If There.
by d (movies profile)
Mar 25, 2008
2
of
3 people found this review helpful
I was in my theater seat today feeling honored to be lost up there on the screen floating with Hank in and out of his personal darkness, skid row hopelessness, writer's madness. The movie engaged me as witness to life as Bukowski would (I believe) want me to feel: desperate yet living on your own terms, whatever they may be: up a winding drive way to a house in the hills or a drunk on skid row.
Factotum is a gem, rough, gritty, that reminded how many people like Hank and Jan along with each character so seamlessly portrayed in this movie we all meet at work, in restaurants, on the streets, in bars, hotels, alleys, park benches- down and ignored underclass, not seen as they are the timeless wandering undercurrent of society. Bukowski's genius was developing that undercurrent so we could see it, taste it, and live it with his characters for a moment's vacation away from our lives.
As I recall Bukowski in person on stage reading his poetry and understood Bukowski as author, Factotum accomplished the edgy bridge he wanted for us and necessary in movie format for the audience to be captured within Hank's world, moved by the performances and locations, left depressed and haunted as if we were walking the streets, no possessions, quitting mindless jobs, grabbing what life throws our way, consumed by his desire to drink, write and exist.
Hats off to everyone involved in the production of Factotum. Bukowski might chug a bottle of beer, wipe his face and probably say, "What a piece of crap that was!" Then you'd know you'd nailed it! |
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