American Splendor Page #2

AMERICAN SPLENDOR

The high-energy music and upbeat titles -- in direct contrast

to the sulking image of Harvey -- continue through the

remainder of the credits.

EXT. CLEVELAND STREET OVERLOOKING FACTORIES - DAY

We’re now on HARVEY’S back as he continues his forlorn

journey. We move forward, past him, to peer over the hill at

the factories below.

REAL HARVEY (V.O.)

Okay. We’re throwing a lot at ya

here, so lemme step in an’ help ya

catch up. This is the story about

comic books, an’ a guy who made a

whole life outta them. You could

even say comics saved his life.

This guy here, he’s our man, Harvey

Pekar -- all grown up and goin’

nowhere.

6.

REAL HARVEY(cont'd)

Although he’s a pretty scholarly

cat, he never got much of a formal

education. For the most part, he’s

lived in sh*t neighborhoods, held

sh*t jobs, and is now knee deep

into a second disastrous marriage.

So if yer lookin’ for romance or

escapism or some fantasy figure to

save the day, guess what? Ya got

the wrong movie.

SUDDENLY EVERYTHING--THE MUSIC, THE CREDITS, THE IMAGES-COMES

TO A HALT.

CUT TO:

INT. SOUND STAGE - PRESENT - DAY

HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE

The REAL HARVEY PEKAR (not the actor who trudged through the

credits) sits behind a microphone, supplying the “voice over”

above. He clutches a movie script in his hand.

The frame is spare, with a few well-chosen items to indicate

that he’s in a recording session.

Although he is significantly older than the man who portrays

him, the “Real Harvey” is every bit as much of a sad sack...

maybe even more.

.

He is large and slightly threatening with knitted brows and

wild eyes. Yet there is something kind and vulnerable about

him -- a teddy bear who could kick your ass.

Off Camera, WE HEAR the voices of the male and female

directors (us -- BOB and SHARI) coaching the “Real Harvey”

through his voice over. Harvey’s irritable and contrary,

saying that the whole Halloween incident never even happened.

“But I don’t care man. I’m just doing this for the dough.”

We learn that Harvey is a reluctant participant in a film

being made about his life.

SUDDENLY, his third wife JOYCE BRABNER -- an intelligent

control freak obsessed with all things negative -- joins in

the conversation. Pushing back her huge glasses, she

reprimands Harvey like he is an infant: “Harvey you are

talking too loud, Harvey you are being difficult.” Harvey

just rolls his eyes. Joyce gets offended. It is clear they

have had this argument a million times. As Joyce storms

off...

7.

Harvey explains that his wife is trying to take over the

movie. He laments that she is his third wife, and he has no

luck with women. “Man, chicks just don’t dig me.” That’s

why he marries anyone who will have him. “And I marry them

fast before they get to know the real me...”

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