Factotum
(2006)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: C+
Matt
Dillon is a fine actor and was a child actor from the last generation before
the Brat pack, yet has survived better than most of them. Maturing into an adult actor, he was always
exceptional to begin with and does deliver as a would be writer drifting from
job to job when he is even looking for work in Bent Hamer’s Factotum (2006).
His Henry
is a sort of surrogate of the writer of the book this is based on, Charles
Bukowski. The problem is that the
Hamer/Jim Stark screenplay adaptation is more about dark humor than any kind of
character study and even at 94 minutes, this stretches out things more than
they should have been and that includes a few missed opportunities.
Lili
Taylor is an earlier love interest, then Marisa Tomei (who we have not seen in
a while) turns in a good performance as another woman in his life. They also give good performances, but this
all ultimately never adds up to what it could resulting in good work trapped in
a so-so feature. Worth a look at best
for the acting.
The 1.85
X 1 is soft and colors are nothing special, though this still has a somewhat
consistent look for what it is. John
Christian Rosenlund, F.D.F., delivers some amusing images, but this DVD is only
so good looking. The Dolby Digital 5.1
mix is dialogue-based and sound comes mostly from the front three
speakers. Extras include a promo for the
soundtrack, original theatrical trailer and making of piece so long that the
case rightly refers to it as a documentary and not featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
