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Factotum (2005) DVD Review
Factotum (2005) DVD Credits:
Factotum (2005) Directed by:
Bent Hamer
Factotum (2005) Written by:
Bent Hamer, Jim Stark
Factotum (2005) Cast:
Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Fisher Stevens, Marisa Tomei, Didier Flamand, Adrienne Shelly, Karen Young, Tony Lyons
Factotum (2005) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Factotum (2005) DVD Release Date:
26th December 2006
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Factotum (2005) Synopsis:

Based on the novel by cult author Charles Bukowski and adapted by Hamer and Jim Stark, "Factotum" is the story of a man living on the edge; of a writer willing to risk everything to make sure his life is poetry. Henry Chinaski (Dillon) works in factories and warehouses to support what he really wants to do: drink, bet the horses, take up with women as rootless as he is and, above all write stories no one wants to publish.

Factotum (2005) DVD Review:

A factotum is a man who performs many jobs, which is an ironic title for a film about a man who is unable to keep a job. We join Henry (Matt Dillon) when he is working at an ice factory, but he loses that job when a delivery takes him into a bar and he doesn’t emerge for hours. Then we see Henry trying to get into a program to drive a cab, but he is dismissed when he lies about his numerous drunken disorderly charges. The reason Henry works so many jobs is because he is unable to keep a steady job while drinking heavily, and occasionally writing something worthwhile. Based on the novel by Charles Bukowski, Factotum works because of Dillon’s obvious portrayal of the author, whose main character even has a name which sounds like he was writing the novel about himself. Dillon sticks his chin out, squints his eyes and even manages to smoke like Bukowski.

Henry is a writer, although he drinks better than he does anything else. He also has a short temper and no respect for rules of any kind. Factotum follows Henry in and out of his relationship with Jan (Lili Taylor), a woman he met in a bar. Their relationship is almost entirely built upon drinking together, although he continues these habits when she leaves him numerous times. He begins relationships with other women as well as making friends, but it is always through alcohol. Much of the film plays like an early excerpt from Bukowski’s life, and would make a wonderful companion to Born Into This, the documentary about the man himself.

Fans of Bukowski’s writing are more likely to appreciate the film, which is filled with narration by Dillon, making it possible to use some of Bukowski’s poetry. The poetry and the performance by Dillon certainly seem to capture the essence of the source material, but anyone who isn’t used to the work of Bukowski might find the lack of structure in the film difficult to get used to. It is a film about art and addiction, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is anything particularly profound to be said about either within the film. Mostly it is an interesting film in which Dillon is able to showcase his talent becoming someone else very effectively.

The DVD includes a making-of documentary which is interesting although there could have been an entire documentary just on Charles Bukowski somewhere on the DVD. There is also a soundtrack promotion and a theatrical trailer as well.

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Factotum (2005) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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