Rating: 
Summary: Great modern interpretation of this Melville classic
Review: This film is an adaptation of a short story written by Herman Melville almost 150 years ago. Yet the message of one man's refusal to be a cog in the wheel of industry is a theme that can be well understood today. The screenplay, written by Jonathan Parker and Catherine DiNapoli, creates a surreal suburban office environment, where the office complex is a monolithic boxlike structure, decorated in lime-green and tangerine. The work is tedious, the pay low and the job consists of categorizing and filing an endless amount of public documents. There's the boss, played with deadpan dignity as well as a lot of heart, by David Paymer. There are the office workers: Joe Piscopo, cast as Rocky, the "know-it-all ladies man; Maury Chaykin cast as Ernie, a pathetic complainer; and Glenne Headly, cast as Vivian, the office flirt. I don't usually like comedies but I found myself laughing at loud at the satire of office situations carried to extreme, such as Ernie's struggle with the photocopy machine and the only fresh air coming from a ceiling vent that is fuzzy with dust. The scene is set for the introduction of the title character, Bartleby, played by Crispin Glover. He's a tall, shy man who stammers when he speaks although also he makes a strong physical presence. At first he's good at his work, but little by little, when asked to do a task, he simply replies, "I prefer not to." The setting might have been updated to modern times, but it followed Melville's story in theme and intent. And the eventual impact that Bartleby makes on the boss keeps the original tone. The boss's role is the most demanding as he goes though his own kind of changes during the course of the film and David Paymer's performance is outstanding. The other characters are excellent but their roles more static, and don't call for a wide variety of changes in emotional intensity. There's a slight unsettling feeling to the film and it's not for everyone. It tries to blend a serious theme with comedy. However, as someone who has worked in offices all my life, I must say that the director really got the essence of what dead-end jobs and co-worker personalities are all about. However, I was the only person in the theater laughing. I recommend this film for those acquainted with the Melville classic and for those who will appreciate an offbeat theme. Others might just not get it.
Rating: 
Summary: fantastic movie
Review: This is not for the masses. If you like to imagine pictures of Arnold groping buttocks or Madonna and Britney having a hot time then this movie is not really for you. rather if you have enjoyed "eyes without a face" then you may like this movie. This is a classic example of a cult movie where budget constraints are not key to the door of imagination. Many good stories and movies normally do not specify the ending discretely rather leaves a lot of space for the imagination of the reader & viewer respectively.
The whole movie is primarily shot in a 2 room office around a character called "Bartleby" - Crispin Glover is an office manager for city records, who provides a job to Bartleby and from then on the movie takes its own twists and turns.
All the characters are very well cast and it is absolutely remarkable how Jonathan Parker (the director) has used his very limited resources without boring you for a second. Actually if you are not Harry potter or George W Bush - then you may identify yourself with one of the characters in the movie .... Now in order to do that you don't have to see through the looking glass just need a reality check.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic movie
Review: This is not for the masses. If you like to imagine pictures of Arnold groping buttocks or Madonna and Britney having a hot time then this movie is not really for you. rather if you have enjoyed "eyes without a face" then you may like this movie. This is a classic example of a cult movie where budget constraints are not key to the door of imagination. Many good stories and movies normally do not specify the ending discretely rather leaves a lot of space for the imagination of the reader & viewer respectively.
The whole movie is primarily shot in a 2 room office around a character called "Bartleby" - Crispin Glover is an office manager for city records, who provides a job to Bartleby and from then on the movie takes its own twists and turns.
All the characters are very well cast and it is absolutely remarkable how Jonathan Parker (the director) has used his very limited resources without boring you for a second. Actually if you are not Harry potter or George W Bush - then you may identify yourself with one of the characters in the movie .... Now in order to do that you don't have to see through the looking glass just need a reality check.
Rating: 
Summary: Where do I get my two hours back?
Review: This movie was gawd awful in the theater (film festival) and we left before the director started talking because I would have demanded my two hours back. The charachters are annoying, the plot is dull and long before the end of the movie, I was ready to leave. Kept hoping it would get better - it didn't! Unless you have two hours to completely waste, don't go anywhere near this movie. Actually, I'm sure that you can find something else to do.
Rating: 
Summary: Crispin Is King
Review: Write a review about this film? I would prefer not to. P.S. The "video" to the song BEN with Crispin's commentary is worth the price of the disc alone. I s**t you not.
| 
