| | |  | NORWAY | Home » » Factotum | | | | | | | Description: | | Based on the second novel by Charles Bukowski. The character of Henry Chinaski is widely known to be Bukowski's alter ego. Henry Chinaski considers himself a writer, and on occasion writes. Mostly he quests for the booze and women that sidetrack and seduce, rather than inspire greatness. When he falls for Jan, the soulful connection fails to save either from their self-destructive ways, and the relationship totters between earnest connection and reflective loathing. With exceptional performances that capture the intoxicated journey though life and art, Factotum is the story of a man living on the edge; a writer who risks everything, tries anything, and finds poetry in life's pleasure and pain. | | | Features: | |
• Henry Chinaski works in factories and warehouses to support what he really wants to do: drink, bet on the horses, take up with women as rootless as he is and, above all, write stories that no one wants to publish. Based on the novel by Charles Bukowski, Factotum is the story of a man living on the edge, of a writer who is willing to risk everything to make sure that his life is his poetry. Form
| | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Marisa Tomei, Didier Flamand, Fisher Stevens | | Director:
| Bent Hamer | | Format:
| Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC | | Language:
| English | | Subtitle:
| English, Spanish | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| Ifc | | Run Time:
| 94 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| December 26, 2006 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 53 reviews |
| | | | Used and New: | | | |
| All | |
| $0.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $0.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.85+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.88+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $0.99+ $4.59 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.33+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.33+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.70+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $1.70+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $1.81+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $1.90+ $4.87 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $2.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $2.19+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.30+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $2.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $2.59+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $3.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $3.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $3.19+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $3.39+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $4.09+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.10+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $4.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.58+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.86+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $4.94+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $4.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $5.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $5.25+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $5.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $5.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $6.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $6.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $7.02+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.79+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $7.95+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $8.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $8.10+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $8.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $8.79+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.24+ $4.12 *Shipping | New | | | $9.30+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.40+ $3.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $9.51+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $9.82+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.91+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.95+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $9.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.01+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $10.34+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.37+ $8.13 *Shipping | New | | | $10.45+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $10.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $10.86+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $11.05+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $11.05+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $11.87+ $2.93 *Shipping | New | | | $13.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $13.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $13.44+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $13.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.40+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $119.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | |
| New | |
| $1.70+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $1.70+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $1.81+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.19+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.30+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $2.59+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $3.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.09+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.10+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $4.86+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $4.94+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $5.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $5.25+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $5.88+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $7.79+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $7.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $8.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $8.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $8.79+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.24+ $4.12 *Shipping | New | | | $9.30+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.40+ $3.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.51+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $9.82+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.91+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.95+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $9.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.01+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $10.34+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.37+ $8.13 *Shipping | New | | | $10.45+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $10.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $10.86+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $11.05+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $11.05+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $11.87+ $2.93 *Shipping | New | | | $13.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $13.44+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $13.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $119.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | |
| Used | |
| $0.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $0.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.85+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.88+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $0.99+ $4.59 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $0.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.33+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.33+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.90+ $4.87 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $1.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $1.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $2.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $2.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $2.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $2.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $3.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $3.19+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $3.39+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $4.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $4.58+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Acceptable | | | $4.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $5.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $6.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $6.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $7.02+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.95+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $8.10+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $10.60+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $13.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $16.40+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 53 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Sometimes You Have To Sacrifice EverythingFeb 11, 2007
By CV Rick
Matt Dillon is Henry Chinaski, the alter-ego of Charles Bukowski. This is a movie about a man who finds solace in a bottle and outlet in the written word. He struggles to be a writer, knowing that his perceptions on society are unique and valuable, but at the same time believing everything to be pointless.
He can't hold a job down because he's a drunk, but he believes he can't hold a job down because every job is shackling his spirit. He can't keep a relationship because he's not able to feel anything beyond his own mind, and that's such a fountain of strong emotion that he has to dampen it with booze.
This is not a happy movie. This is a movie about despair and the agony of addiction. There's no message of recovery or vindication or even escape as in Leaving Las Vegas - the simple message is that for some people life is just too much to handle. For that message it's a true story, unadulterated by the can-do propaganda of self-help America. This is the dark side of civilization, the story of one of those left behind.
Matt Dillon becomes Chinaski and he delivers a powerful performance, at times violent, angry, and hopeless, while at other times driven and manic. He sums up his life with the line, "All I want to do is get my check and get drunk. It might not be noble, but it's my choice."
The movie ends with these thoughts, and it's from that world that Bukowski rose to give us a look at ourselves.
"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs. And maybe your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance. Of how much you really want to do it. And you'll do it, despite rejection in the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods. And the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is. "
It's not a movie for everyone, but I watched it three times. Dillon couldn't have done a better job, but I'm afraid it's not the right material for an Oscar nod.
17 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Factotum -- The MovieSep 01, 2006
By Robin Friedman
Factotum is based upon the 1975 novel by the American writer Charles Bukowski (1920 - 1994). The movie was shot in Minnesota in 2004 and premiered at several independent film festivals before its commercial release. The best-known earlier movie based upon Bukowski's work was Barfly (1987) which stared Mickey Rourke.
I looked forward to seeing Factotum for a long time, and I wasn't disappointed. The major character is Henry Chinaski, a character who figures in many Bukowski novels and stories and who is based loosly on Bukowski's own life. Matt Dillon gives a stunning performance of Chinaski, as does Lili Taylor, as Chinaski's on-again off-again girlfriend Jan.
Although the movie was shot in Minnesota, the scene of the movie is the poorer sections of Los Angeles during the years of WW II. Chinaski, a loner, outsider and drifter rejected for military service, is fired from one menial job after another as he works toward becoming a writer. Chinaski drinks heavily, gambles at the racetrack, fights, and moves from woman to woman. The low life of the movie is convincingly portrayed; yet Chinaski perseveres and ultimately succeeds in his goal of becoming a writer.
The movie differs from the novel in that the movie is set entirely in Los Angeles. In Bukowski's novel, Chinaski wanders back and forth around the United States. Thus, the novel begins in New Orleans, as Chinaski heads West to Los Angeles, and then backtracks through New York City, Philadelphia, and St. Louis before drifting back to Los Angeles. The book is thus substantially more episodic and less focused that the film adaptation. In addition, the film portrays Chinaski somewhat more sympathetically than does Bukowski's own text. For example in one scene, after Chinaski and Jan have walked some distance to pick up a check when Chinaski is fired from a job, Jan complains that she can't walk further and takes of her high heels. In the movie, Chinaski gallantly offers her his own shoes. This offer doesn't happen in the novel. The Minnesota scene of the movie doesn't quite look like Los Angeles, but it does capture the seedy, squalid character of Chinaski's surroundings.
In watching the movie, my companion commented on the lurid quality of the lighting, particularly as it involved the bar scenes. Another unusual feature of the movie is the outstanding musical score, which sets several of Bukoski's poems.
This is a tough, gritty movie of an individual who is seemingly headed for a life of alcoholism and failure. Chinaski somehow redeems himself as he works towards becoming a writer. I think the book and the movie both illustrate a traditional theme. They show how art and reflection have the power to find beauty in even the most sordid scenes and to bring meaning to a life in the midst of waste and sorrow.
Robin Friedman
18 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 Matt Dillon deserves an OscarSep 15, 2006
By Timothy D. Naegele
So many people said after this year's Academy Awards that Matt Dillon should have won an Oscar as best supporting actor for his performance in "Crash." Perhaps so, but he deserves an Oscar even more as best actor for "Factotum," without a doubt. It is an offbeat movie that is not for the kids, but the camera captures the best acting that Dillon has ever done. Even with a beard and somewhat of a paunch, he radiates star power more so than in his other films.
First and foremost, IFC Films should be pushing for his nomination. The reviews are terrific, by and large; and it should be opened nationwide, not just in art house theaters. This is a "sleeper" gem of a film. Along with an Oscar nod for Dillon might come one for Lili Taylor because she is terrific too. Clearly, "Factotum" is an Indie film that has come out of nowhere, ground zero in fact, and might be marked for "stardom" if IFC puts some "muscle" behind the film in terms of marketing and promoting it.
In turn, its success might propel lots of independent filmmakers to "believe" that they too might "reach for the stars" and actually catch the brass ring. Dillon is a real talent, and so is Taylor. Marisa Tomei has a small but meaty part, and she handles it with aplomb as she always does. For those of us who fell in love with her years ago, when she won an Oscar as best supporting actress in "My Cousin Vinny," she shines in this movie too.
Even though Dillon's character, "Henry Chinaski," is an alcoholic and a womanizer who seems to fail miserably at all of his jobs, the one thread that keeps him alive and moving forward is his writing, which is ultimately his redemption--as it was for writer Charles Bukowski, on whose book the film was based. The only minor criticism of the movie might be that it needs some music in various scenes, and the end credits need to be redone to achieve greater clarity because they are impossible to read in a theater.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Factotum - True To The Spirit of Bukowski If Not The Letter - Deserves A Second LookNov 04, 2008
By Mark
"Technology, Music and Movies"
Factotum is a very good movie. To my mind, this movie has been misunderstood and somewhat underrated. Much of the criticism of this movie is valid based upon the letter of Bukowski's work. But when you really think about the spirit of his work, this movie succeeds in translating that to a present-day story that more people can relate to. This film best serves those less familiar with his writing. Hopefully Bukuowski fans can give this movie a second chance and grow to appreciate it from that vantage point.
There can be no more fitting tribute to the anti-hero persona of Bukowski than Chinaski, his alter-ego smoothly under-played by Matt Dillon. Once again, Dillon hardly matches the profile of the gruff and unattractive Chinaski from the original writings. But he rises to the occasion and embodies the character in ways that looks alone cannot describe.
The down-in-the gutter depravity that Bukowski constantly seeks to illuminate with his work is the center piece of this movie. The realism of this movie is so tragic it's comical. Wandering from lost job to failed relationship, Chinaski is often in a drunken stupor of disillusionment and self-loathing. When he does find a woman worth keeping, he can only continuously lose her. This is real life in a world where a man simply doesn't think it's worth it to care.
While Mr. Chinaski is offered many opportunities to work below his station as a statue cleaner, factory worker or janitor, he is rarely given the chance to do work that lets him use his passion to write. Sadly, even when one of his stories is chosen, his mail is taken, read, and discarded before he even learns of it. So even his little victories are swept away from him.
In making this movie, they made creative decisions that deviated from the original story. The story takes place in the present day and not in the period in which Bukowski lived and worked. Yet they did that to adapt the spirit of Bukowski to a movie for today's audience. The mixed reaction to this movie is akin to the reaction his work and life. So it comes as no surprise to me.
What does surprise me is to hear many fans of Bukowski's work state that this movie does not measure up to the message of his writing. In my mind, the spirit of his work should not be overpowered by the literal recounting of it.
If you have a dark sense of humor and a love of poetry, this story is painfully funny and all-together real. One can't help but be reminded of that famous Alan Ginsberg poem that starts, "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical."
Granted, this movie's negative message is somewhat of a downer if taken literally. So it is not for everyone. Yet if you can suspend judgment, this is a very interesting movie. The material is succinct yet well done, and the acting is minimalist yet once again well done. The one point I would make in criticism is that the first half of this movie isn't nearly as good as the second half. If you watch the second half alone a few times, it's easier to appreciate what they were shooting for in the beginning.
Regardless, I really enjoyed this movie. I've watched it many times and it still rings true to me, despite the artistic liberties they took. This is not for the typical movie night. But if you want to watch something dark, subtle and creative, this is it.
Enjoy.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Great Novel, Mediocre FilmSep 16, 2006
By Henry Chinaski
"haze1123"
Matt Dillon is wildly miscast in this film that otherwise pays decent tribute to the original novel.
The problem is that the film totally lacks the self-deprecating humor of Charles Bukowski.
When you read Bukowski, you can laugh with him, and take refuge in his interpretation of the world. Sure, the world is ugly and stupid, but Hank's point of view is always delivered with a laugh, or at least a wry smile.
This script basically ignores the important internal dialog of the Chinaski character, and doesn't leave Dillon much to work with. He seems to do a lot of silent walking from place to place.
Plus, Dillon doesn't look beat up by the world. He looks like a lazy underwear model.
He's no Chinaski, but every once in a while, he does a decent Bukowski imitation.
C+
See all 53 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| | |
|
