Ordinary Life is pretty complex stuff

Georgiana 2022-02-14 08:01:24

Copy from the original text, so some connections and pictures may not be displayed properly. The original text can be seen here: http://makzhou.warehouse333.com/2006/09/28/563/



Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff is a cartoonist Harvey Pekar's famous quote. American Splendor is the name of a comic he wrote, and it is also used as the title of the biographical film of the same name.

But I didn't know it when I watched the movie. Because I confuse this with Gregg Araki's Splendor... and I found an unexpected masterpiece.

Although this article won awards in both Sundance and Cannes (2003). But the most important thing for me is the identity of Harvey Pekar as a cartoonist. This is the first time I have seen a biography of a cartoonist.

In the movie, Pekar loves to say "I don't like superhero, they are not real.." This is his point of view when he was collecting comics since he was a child. American comics are full of superhero immortals and tights. Although this can attract the eyes of children, it is not real life after all. The value of these things is neither boring nor new for Pekar, who lives in Lower Cleveland every day. So when he met Bob Crumb, another rising underground cartoonist at the time, they immediately became close friends for a lifetime. In addition to the common love for jazz, the absurdity and humor in Crumb's works have become another support for comforting Pekar's monotonous life (there is also his beloved jazz). When Pekar finally found that he couldn't bear the monotonous life and gradually murdering himself, he began to pick up his pen and outline his views on all this. Self-deprecating, sarcasm, even with a bit of mean tone, but because of those deep insights, it has been loved by the majority of comics fans.

Strictly speaking, Pekar is not a cartoonist. Because he can't paint at all. He said to himself "I can't even draw a straight line". What he did was use that kind of stickman to draw the scene he wanted to show in his mind, and then let his friend Crumb polish it. In other words, he played the role of story editor. But I think this is precisely the soul of comics. The protagonist in Pekar's comics is also different from ordinary comics: it is himself and his friends and family around him. So this is a comic with no evidence of a story, no saving the world and handsome men and beauties. The characters inside are extremely rough, and life is definitely not superior. It is in such a real scene that Pekar embodies a true and unique attitude. In this society, it is not easy to really be able to "be yourself" and not follow the trend. At the time of the change, such people were considered lunatics and fools by us. Because there is so much absurdity that people accept as true without questioning.

The scene depicted in the movie is Harvey Pekar on David Letterman's show. Davie Letterman is a very famous night talk show host, which has been popular since the 70s until today. It airs on NBC every night. He is known for his excellent ridicule and cynical attitude (at least I think so). After Harvey Pekar appeared on one of his programs, the ratings were exceptionally good. So it turned out to be a guest of honor. But the reason for this is that Pekar's strange speech style, stubborn attitude and a little silly looks attracted the audience-this is a comedy show after all, and everyone likes to relax and watch the jokes. But Pekar's more serious attitude finally broke out in an interview that criticized GE in person. He didn't care whether it was a funny show or not, but he criticized GE (and also the owner of NBC) that he thought was important, and eventually caused the host and the production unit to be extremely embarrassed. He even said to the audience below: You pathetic audience!

This could not be said to have hit the nail on the head, and at the same time it was a sign that Pekar had no knowledge of the world. You can think of him as the little boy in the emperor's new clothes, or you can think of him as a fool so stupid that he doesn't understand human affairs at all. But in short, he just wants to do this. Not willing to be a clown for people to make fun of. You can see the process of this interview on Youtube. This incident led to him being blacklisted by Letterman Show, and he was only lifted after the 1990s.

The reason Harvey Pekar came to Letterman was because he needed money. After he and his wife Joeyc got married, they depended on his salary alone to support the family. By the way, he didn't become popular because of comics. On the contrary, he has worked as an archivist in a Cleveland hospital all his life. So you can imagine what his life is like. But he did not blame others, because this kind of life can bring inspiration to his creation.

Another outstanding aspect of this movie is the method of filming. The filming of the film was carried out with Pekar's own narration. Even his own friends and family members insert into the film as "personal" from time to time to comment. It feels like you suddenly pierced the screen of an unreal movie. What's more interesting is that there is a scene in the movie with a triple "comedy", that is, the actor who plays Pekar goes to a theater in the movie to watch a drama about him. In this way, the actor is also staring at "self", and there is also "the deity" in the external voice. This idea is really interesting!

In addition to Pekar, the protagonist in the movie also has a very interesting character Toby. He is Pekar's colleague who works in the hospital. Although it is not mentioned in the movie, I think it seems a bit mentally handicapped (really, not mocking). He speaks in a very robot-like tone, and his thoughts are also very strange. But as a friend of Pekar. His radiance has not been lost due to intellectual/physical defects. He knows that he is different from ordinary people, so he calls himself Genuine Nerd. And with the development of the film, the audience will find that he has his own judgment and standards for most things. Compared with those who are beautifully dressed and have no ideas, what kind of life is real? Also with the help of Youtube, we can see the real toby. (There is a toby in the movie that was used by MTV TV to make an advertisement. It is one of the most absurd episodes in the movie I think)

Harvey Pekar's story does not bring any American dream or legendary experience. He is an ordinary and real person. His ideas are conveyed through his cartoons. Such underground comics may be rough (like the ghost world introduced before), but their beauty lies in their observation and understanding of this life. I think the so-called art of comics does not mean that the story must be how beautiful the character is and how "cute" it is. If you are out of the environment of life. At best, it is nothing more than a display.

Is this destined to become a Nead?

View more about American Splendor reviews

Extended Reading
  • Elizabeth 2022-03-25 09:01:11

    Severe satire and warmth coexist, unique comic style, perfect transition between real and fake, exquisite sketch movie

  • Bethany 2022-03-26 09:01:07

    Harvey Baker will definitely come back from the underworld to fight alongside you~

American Splendor quotes

  • Joyce Brabner: I'm a self-diagnosed anemic.

  • Harvey Pekar: Wow, you're a sick woman.

    Joyce Brabner: Not yet, but I expect to be.