Factotum: Living on the Edge
Factotum is based on the book of the same name by acclaimed author of prose and poetry, Charles Bukowski. This movie is semi-autobiographical. The main character, Henry Chinaski (Matt Dillon), is considered by most to be Bukowski’s alter ego.
The movie follows Chinaski through a series of dead-end jobs and alcohol induced periods of unemployment. He can’t seem to hold a job any longer than it takes to earn enough money for the next binge. In between he scribbles short stories and poetry and tosses manuscripts in the mail with reckless abandon. Henry writes for himself, because he is a writer and he must write.
On his journey he meets Jan (Lili Taylor) and Laura (Marisa Tomei). Through his relationship with each of them we catch a glimpse of the man beneath the surface and the demons that drive him. At one point, success seems to be his. He has money, nice clothing and a taste of the “good life.� Alas, it doesn’t last for long. This new life is too alien and he soon sabotages himself and slips back into the life he knows best. It is this life that provides the muse for his writing.
The advertising copy for Factotum refers to Chinaski as a man “living on the edge.� And it is the edge of a dark chasm that threatens to consume him as he falls further and further into the darkness. As he spirals down his job opportunities dwindle, he abandons relationships, until finally all he has left is his booze and his writing.
The movie is dark in tone but still manages to pull a few cynical chuckles from the audience. The acting is superb across the board. The thread of the story jumps here and there through a series of vignettes that include inspiration from other short stories by Bukowski. They are tied together through voice over provided by Dillon.
Honestly, I was amazed at the degree to which I was sucked into this film. I wasn’t overly familiar with Bukowski’s work prior to the film or the work of writer, director and producer Brent Hamer. It proves to be a compelling combination. Factotum is well worth seeing if you are a fan of Bukowski or are just looking for a character driven film devoid of special effects.
Reflecting on the film, this is a story that we all probably have experience with. Oh, I don’t mean drinking, losing your job, and bottoming out. I’m referring to the struggle to overcome the familiar conditions that trap us where we are in life. How many of us accept the situation we find ourselves in, simply because sticking with what we know seems safer than letting go in the pursuit of something better?
In Chinaski’s case, was he able to write only because of the life he experienced? Can we change our circumstances without changing who we fundamentally are? Must we change our circumstances if we want to change our behaviors, our habits, or the path we trod? It is a subject worth meditating on.
The movie follows Chinaski through a series of dead-end jobs and alcohol induced periods of unemployment. He can’t seem to hold a job any longer than it takes to earn enough money for the next binge. In between he scribbles short stories and poetry and tosses manuscripts in the mail with reckless abandon. Henry writes for himself, because he is a writer and he must write.
On his journey he meets Jan (Lili Taylor) and Laura (Marisa Tomei). Through his relationship with each of them we catch a glimpse of the man beneath the surface and the demons that drive him. At one point, success seems to be his. He has money, nice clothing and a taste of the “good life.� Alas, it doesn’t last for long. This new life is too alien and he soon sabotages himself and slips back into the life he knows best. It is this life that provides the muse for his writing.
The advertising copy for Factotum refers to Chinaski as a man “living on the edge.� And it is the edge of a dark chasm that threatens to consume him as he falls further and further into the darkness. As he spirals down his job opportunities dwindle, he abandons relationships, until finally all he has left is his booze and his writing.
The movie is dark in tone but still manages to pull a few cynical chuckles from the audience. The acting is superb across the board. The thread of the story jumps here and there through a series of vignettes that include inspiration from other short stories by Bukowski. They are tied together through voice over provided by Dillon.
Honestly, I was amazed at the degree to which I was sucked into this film. I wasn’t overly familiar with Bukowski’s work prior to the film or the work of writer, director and producer Brent Hamer. It proves to be a compelling combination. Factotum is well worth seeing if you are a fan of Bukowski or are just looking for a character driven film devoid of special effects.
Reflecting on the film, this is a story that we all probably have experience with. Oh, I don’t mean drinking, losing your job, and bottoming out. I’m referring to the struggle to overcome the familiar conditions that trap us where we are in life. How many of us accept the situation we find ourselves in, simply because sticking with what we know seems safer than letting go in the pursuit of something better?
In Chinaski’s case, was he able to write only because of the life he experienced? Can we change our circumstances without changing who we fundamentally are? Must we change our circumstances if we want to change our behaviors, our habits, or the path we trod? It is a subject worth meditating on.
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