Factotum
IFC Films | Release Date: August 18, 2006
6.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
17
Mixed:
5
Negative:
5
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
ChadS.Apr 19, 2007
When a man hits a woman, there's usually a second time. In "Factotum", it's one punch thrown by Henry(Matt Dillon), one thud on the floor by Jan the thud-maker(Lili Taylor). Unlike "Walk the Line"(the whitewashed biopic of country When a man hits a woman, there's usually a second time. In "Factotum", it's one punch thrown by Henry(Matt Dillon), one thud on the floor by Jan the thud-maker(Lili Taylor). Unlike "Walk the Line"(the whitewashed biopic of country legend Johnny Cash), the filmmaker doesn't want to portray their iconoclastic subject(Charles Bukowski) as a saint; this is an indie, after all, "Factotum" needs street(or at least, Sundance street) cred. But surely Henry Chinaski is prone to more than one violent outburst if he's some unrelenting drunk who can't hold onto a job. No drunk just hits the bottle; he'll hit jukeboxes, glass windows, and the corporeal flesh of bar patrons and fifty-cent whores alike, especially the fifty-cent whores. "Factotum" is episodic; it's nothing more than a meandering anthology of the women Henry happens to be shacked up with as he lurches from bar to crappy job to bar. Lucid or not, Bukowski/Chinaski had enough clarity to write "Factotum", the memoir that is the basis for this agreeable depiction of the infamous poet laureate of the streets. Dillon is good, but not great as Chinaski; or maybe, the filmmaker is at fault; maybe, he fell into temptation to myth-make. In place of genuine angst and other degrees of implosive behavior, he chose to uphold the romantic notion of a writer victimized by stampeding pink elephants; the pachyderms of proof. The elephants need thicker hides. Chinaski needs to be more tortured; more "Bukowski-in-a-china-shop"-like.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KurtL.Sep 17, 2006
Matt Dillon is brilliant if not a little too pretty for the role. I like the different techniques used by the director to affect meaning. It
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MattD.Aug 18, 2006
An Excellent cinimatic achivement with brave and breaktrough acting from the honest actor Matt Dillion. A phenomenal cast and a instant classic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
DaveD.Aug 18, 2006
a excellent film in every way. supurb job by nervous new man matt dillion. He is still young in his carrer and this could be him at his best. A great story about a average american man who does not care about anyone but himself but a excellent film in every way. supurb job by nervous new man matt dillion. He is still young in his carrer and this could be him at his best. A great story about a average american man who does not care about anyone but himself but eventually learns an importat life lesson that will warm your heart and inspire you. A all together insperational brilliant film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JanDCAug 24, 2006
Like it's been said, "writers cannot be successful if they're unwilling to let their hair hang loose and explore to achieve their best and ultimate inspirations! Indeed, a great stark and hilarious film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
AlexanderC.Aug 28, 2006
Another cult classic to add to the long list of cult classics from Matt Dillon, undoubtedlly the only icon of his generation and one of the best actors today. The film is ironic, cinic and crude and yet also beautiful, human and funny, Another cult classic to add to the long list of cult classics from Matt Dillon, undoubtedlly the only icon of his generation and one of the best actors today. The film is ironic, cinic and crude and yet also beautiful, human and funny, simple and complex at the same time. True to Bukowsky's soul and one of the best films of the yaer. A little jewel.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
tonyGreenFeb 17, 2014
Funny, sad, and nice to look at, this film has a great small cast. Has a languid pace but is never boring. The changes in fortune of the protagonist Henry, an alcoholic writer, is always on the precipice of abject failure or (relative)Funny, sad, and nice to look at, this film has a great small cast. Has a languid pace but is never boring. The changes in fortune of the protagonist Henry, an alcoholic writer, is always on the precipice of abject failure or (relative) success. Matt Dillon seems very authentic, very believable in his role. Stands a second viewing.… Expand
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10
mrbadhabitsFeb 17, 2022
Without a doubt see this movie unless a life on the edge is beyond your pay grade. It is for some, and will be for more in future, a cult classic. Maybe better to watch a Bukowski lecture first, as the person behind the story is essentialWithout a doubt see this movie unless a life on the edge is beyond your pay grade. It is for some, and will be for more in future, a cult classic. Maybe better to watch a Bukowski lecture first, as the person behind the story is essential to understand if it's not already obvious to you from the first 5 minutes. Yet for all the outrageousness of the character, which to some is not in fact so outrageous actually, there is an essential truth that is revealed slowly during the bulk of the story and, in case you missed it, it's laid out for you at the end. Expressing your creativity comes at a price, which is the risk of failure if you need others to acknowledge it.… Expand
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