Once again the MPAA gets it wrong. No nudity, no violence (one short scene of Harvey smashing items in his apartment), some harsh language (nothing not heard in a junior high locker room), but apparently movies dealing with manic depressives and testicular cancer get branded with an R. Fascinating film about comic book icon Harvey Pekar who lives an unsual life and becomes an anti-hero to the alternative comic crowd. The narrative is mostly linear, but with frequent interruptions in the story by Mr. Pekar himself commenting on the action. Well worth anyone's time; the focus is on his life, not his comic books.
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American Splendor
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Earthy, gritty and real; for older kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About American Splendor
Parents need to know that this movie's rating is based on language. There are some sexual references and inexplicit sexual situations. Some viewers may find the unhappiness and dysfunction in the movie disturbing.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about why such an intelligent and perceptive man created this kind of life for himself. What was it that appealed to him about the file clerk job? Why did he confront David Letterman? What makes Pekar happy?
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Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Excellent bio-pic.
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