American Splendor took us on a ride, a very real and harsh ride that gives the creatively inclined average man something to relate to. Harvey Pekar’s life was a definite roller coaster in every way. He took us to the depths of his lows and to the humble mountain tops of his highs. He first dreams of becoming a great comic writer like the greats he’s always read but soon finds a different road to go down. He sees his own everyday life as an adventure in itself. Living life is complicated and complex already. Why make it anymore than what it already is? He begins to write his daily life down on paper. Realizing its flow and truthfulness his good friend and comic writer wants to illustrate it, and BINGO! American Splendor takes its first leap into the world and is a slow but steady success.
Harvey’s life begins to turn around. He has what seems to be a dead beat life. He’s a hoarder, divorced twice, circling around a soul sucking job as a filing clerk, a life where depression is served for breakfast lunch and dinner. But the success of his comic starts to shed some light on his dreary existence. A man who is among few comic writers who are thinking way outside the box has created art out of his own life! No special effects or stunt doubles, just Harvey and his day to day grind.
A young lady who loves reading American Splendor comes into contact with Harvey. They begin to talk regularly. Harvey soon becomes very interested in meeting with this woman which they do and click right away in an awkwardly fashion. The other half of a man is a woman and Harvey has found his other half. It’s the perfect storm, a woman in a man’s life; she’ll drive you to the edge of pain sorrow and guilt but then be there every time you fall to pick you right up. Can we get a rewrite? Don’t think so. But Harvey doesn’t seem to care. He’s found something worth getting up for.
Harvey becomes overwhelmed with his new found glory; she must be there at all times. Like a kid with a new toy, until it breaks. But Harvey is far from calling his lady a toy, she is his muse, his creation within, she even appears in his comic book, in good and bad ways. Their day to day relationship is quite odd, which is normal, but odd in a way that at first site is hard to swallow. It tastes like a friendship which has some benefits at times. At times she’s an angry sister who won’t get out of bed. The angry mother telling her son to CLEAN UP YOUR SHIT! But this is all accepted when we realize who this Harvey character is and who this lady is. They’re awkwardly perfect for each other in every way.
Harvey’s success with 8 comic books seems to peak when he starts to appear on The Late Night Show with David Letterman which at first glance might look like a normal wacko vs wacko interview but in this one the audiences are laughing at Harvey, not with Harvey. A sad sight but it was the start of an age where ‘weird’ was selling on T.V. He appears several more times on the show, the audience getting louder and louder each time, Harvey trying to translate all that is going on around him.
It all finally stops when David Letterman insults Harvey straight on while Harvey waits backstage to go on. Harvey reacts in a bitter aggressive way towards Letterman, demanding he be taken seriously, only getting a bigger laugh in return. No more Letterman appearances for Harvey. No worries, the American audience will have many wackos to be entertained by in the future, just another act expired.
Harvey hits a brick wall with a tumor diagnosis. His wife tries to make the situation a positive one suggesting to Harvey that he write about his time with the tumor, every detail. Harvey declines, the wife decides to take it up in her own hands. Harvey goes through a deep spiral into destruction with the treatment and the fear of death. He begins to believe that he’s just a character, that American Splendor is his life and only that, a deadly reality that many realize. Is my career my sole identity? Is the research and papers and books and libraries all I have to show in this life? What happens when I die? Does my character just die or does it live on to educate the uneducated? This is a crucial point in the movie. With this closing in on him and with everything else building up, Harvey Pekar hits his bottom.
Harvey survives his treatment and completes the book with his wife. They’ve adopted a lovely child along this experience and seem to be happy. But the life of Harvey Pekar is never balanced, never certain. It’s always a struggle from day to day in his shoes. It’s a concept we all should adapt. Life is a struggle, a never ending test. It’s the small things that keep us going, keeps us making that step forward. We should never forget the people in our lives, or our dreams. Your life will most likely turn out totally different than you thought but it’s your life and no one elses, make it your own! Make it fun! Spontaneous! Make it last and unforgettable. Know that all of your wishes in life won’t come true but one thing you can count on is life. It’ll always be there for you to live, no matter what way you choose.
Harvey Pekar chose his road that drove through a comic book store and changed it forever and this movie told me his story in an interesting unique and fulfilling way. I ask everyone to watch it in honor or to simply see ambition within the realm of uncertainty. Do something. Create something. Be something. Just do it!
The Louie Bee
