Movie Review: '50 First Dates'

Pekar and his wife Joyce Brabner speak on Fresh Air about the movie American Splendor, which is based on Pekar's life. Pekar has been described as a "working-class everyman," and "first-class curmudgeon." In 1976 he published the first in a series of comic books about his mundane life as a VA hospital clerk and record collector in Cleveland. It was called American Splendor, and he's continued to publish them since. In 1987 one of them earned him an American Book Award. (Pekar doesn't do the drawings himself; R. Crumb illustrated some).

Giamatti plays Harvey Pekar in American Splendor, out now on DVD. Giamatti's film credits include Planet of the Apes, Big Momma's House, Saving Private Ryan and The Truman Show, among many others. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows. This interview was first broadcast Feb. 5, 2003.

This was originally broadcast on WKSU in Kent, Ohio.