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Factotum

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Factotum (2006)

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Reviews Counted:104

Fresh:78

Rotten:26

Average Rating:6.8/10

Consensus: Matt Dillon's performance is the highlight of this somewhat slow but fascinating portrayal of Charles Bukowski's alter-ego.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for language and sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:18-11-2005

Synopsis: The life of celebrated wildman Charles Bukowski has been brought to the big screen on a number of occasions prior to this adaptation of his book, FACTOTUM. Most notably, Mickey Rourke played... The life of celebrated wildman Charles Bukowski has been brought to the big screen on a number of occasions prior to this adaptation of his book, FACTOTUM. Most notably, Mickey Rourke played Bukowski's alter-ego Henry "Hank" Chinaski in 1987's BARFLY, while 2004's BUKOWSKI: BORN INTO THIS was a fascinating documentary on the alcohol-fueled writer. This Norwegian production from director Bent Hamer sees Matt Dillon taking on the role of Chinaski. Dillon gets the character just about right, subtly perfecting the deadbeat behavior that leads to innumerable firings from menial jobs, while also offering a persuasive depiction of a man lost in the throes of an addiction to booze, women, and gambling. The crumbs of plot that do exist in FACTOTUM find Chinaski enjoying the sexual wiles of poverty-stricken Jan (Lily Taylor) and rich-girl Laura (Marisa Tomei), but essentially the film is all about one man's long, low meander through a sedentary life. The alcohol frequently gets the better of Chinaski, destroying his chances of becoming a writer, obliterating his job prospects, and curtailing his relationships. But Hamer is careful never to judge Chinaski's habits, simply depositing them on screen and weaving them into the story as if they were as essential to the human condition as breathing or eating. The film progresses at a leisurely pace, Dillon's cigarette-and-alcohol-soaked vocal chords provide voiceover narration at appropriate times, and Hamer carefully crafts one of the finest portrayals of Bukowski yet. Set in Minneapolis-St. Paul, which overflows with the depreciated low-rent apartments and cruddy, soul destroying workplaces Bukowski thrived upon, FACTOTUM is an arresting depiction of humanity at its lowest ebb. [More]

Starring: Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Didier Flamand, Fisher Stevens

Starring: Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Didier Flamand, Fisher Stevens, Adrienne Shelly, Karen Young, Marisa Tomei

Director: Bent Hamer

Director: Bent Hamer
Screenwriter: Bent Hamer, Jim Stark
Producer: Jim Stark
Composer: Kristin Asbjornsen
Studio: IFC Films

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Reviews for Factotum

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
06/21/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

A character who would be treated as an unlovable or tragic figure almost anywhere else emerges here as a hero of self-expression.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Angie Errigo
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film may be modest in its ambitions -- but achieves just as much anyway. Just terrific.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
12/06/05
Independent
N/R

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Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
12/06/05
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

An intoxicating comedy based on the writings of cult author Charles Bukowski.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/06/05
Matthew Leyland
Matthew Leyland
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An arthouse movie version of seediness--a bit more muted, engaging and beautiful than real life.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
08/26/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Minimalism-a-thon, numb from the very start

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
08/30/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Tom Meek
Tom Meek
Boston Phoenix

Norwegian director Bent Hamer ("Kitchen Stories") mines the rich literary soil of poet/novelist Charles Bukowski to issue forth a piquant cinematic showcase for Bukowski's talent and malaise.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
04/20/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
10/18/08
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

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Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jonathan Kiefer
Jonathan Kiefer
Sacramento News & Review

Will not please devotees of narrative closure, but it's a must for anyone who lives by our hero's credo: 'If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't try at all.'

Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
02/01/08
Karina Longworth
Karina Longworth
Cinematical

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

This portrait of an artist as a young sot reels and swaggers towards some kind of redemptive conclusion but, in a truly bold move on the part of the filmmakers, never quite gets there.

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
07/06/07
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Eye for Film

Factotum isn't for everybody, certainly not the abstentious. But there's no denying it, Chinaski appeals to our inner anarchist.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
02/22/07
Rex Roberts
Rex Roberts
Film Journal International

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
02/16/07
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Dillon delivers with a cocky denseness that is at once hilarious and poignant...

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
01/12/07
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

The transplant didn't take in Barfly, and it works no better here in Factotum. In each case, the baying of the boozehounds just seems repetitious and banal -- the noise endures but the joy is gone.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
12/01/06
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Factotum

November 07, 2006: Man Charged In Death of Actress Adrienne Shelly
A 19 year-old construction worker has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of actress Adrienne Shelly, according to the New York Times. Shelly, who starred in Hal... More...

August 17, 2006: Certified Fresh Forecast: "The Illusionist," "Factotum" Are Your Alternatives to "Snakes"
Amid all the attention surrounding "Snakes on a Plane," smaller cinematic gems like "The Illusionist" and "Factotum" may be slipping under the... More...

August 17, 2006: Critical Consensus: "SOAP," "Material Girls" Not Screened; "Accepted" Denied; "Sunshine" Shines
This week at the movies, we've got snakes.... on a plane ("Snakes on a Plane," starring Samuel L. Jackson), slackers on a campus ("Accepted," starring Justin... More...

April 20, 2006: SF International Fest Starts Today; "Factotum," "Romance," "Companion" and More!
Bay Area RTers, get yourselves to San Francisco this weekend for the annual SF International Film Festival for your chance to see flicks like "Factotum," "Art... More...

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