The ultimate character actor is playing the ultimate character. Paul Giamatti finally gets his first lead role and its playing the star of one of my favorite comics, Harvey Pekar's American Splendor. Giamatti first came to attention with his scene stealing turn in another bio-pic Howard Stern's Private Parts. Since then he has become one of Hollywood's leading character actors starring in Saving Private Ryan, Planet of the Apes and Storytelling.
Under first time directors Shari Springer Berman...
I love Paul, he's such a cool presence on the big screen. Hopefully he'll start getting some better roles that he certainly deserves.
BTW: American Splendor is a really good movie. I saw it at The Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuk, MI a few monts ago.
I saw Paul on Conan O'Brian and The Daily Show. The movie looks like fantastic, creative cinema. I hear the film has either won and/or been nominated for some awards at film festivals such as Cannes. I think Paul is a great actor. I really hope this allows Paul to turn a career corner (as I hoped after Man on the Moon, Duets, and Saving Private Ryan) so he can do only the quality movies I am certain he'd rather be a part of instead of the festering piles and living-Hell-in-two-hours of the world like Big Fat Liar and the "Gnu" Planet of the Apes.
I love Duets as well. I watch it every time it is on. I don't remember him in Singles, although it has been forever since I've seen it. What part is he in?
The one thing I will always remember the most about Paul is one little line from the Howard Stern movie: 'W-Ennnnnnnnn-B-C" After that, I became a fan.
Just saw "American Splendor" tonight...Paul is brilliant in it...he's great in everything I've seen him in. Did anyone else see him in "If These Walls Could Talk 2?"
Missy
SUICIDEGIRL
California, USA
AUG 14, 2003 05:00 PM