Bartleby

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Bartleby

PG-13

2002

1h 22m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

36%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A manager (David Paymer) hires a strange employee (Crispin Glover) who, at first, is exceptionally efficient but then refuses to work.

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Critics Consensus

Bartleby is a rather dull affair, stretched over a too-long running time.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What was subtle and mystifying in the novella is now broad and farcical.

Rated: D

Nov 4, 2002

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

An intriguing near-miss.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 21, 2002

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Except for Paymer as the boss who ultimately expresses empathy for Bartleby's pain, the performances are so stylized as to be drained of human emotion.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 21, 2002

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

It turns into a bone-dry comedy with enough weird touches to earn it a deserved cult status.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 6, 2024

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Glover carries the film but ultimately his performance is for naught.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

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Film Threat

Rated: 2/5

Dec 6, 2005

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bryan b

I would have preferred not to have wasted time with this garbage.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Odd, awkward, funny and yet tragic look at the way society deals with people who just can't seem to fit in. Piscopo is hilarious, as usual: "What the hell are you complaining about? . . .I do love you, baby . . . Well yeah, I love her too . . . But it's two completely different types of of love - - equally beautiful. . ."

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

This is the type of art film that requires some patience and a desire to discern message. Having read the original story and seen the short film in high school, this modern adaptation takes some creative license, yet sticks to the general plot. It's about mental health and how Bartleby draws a successful and well-aligned businessman into the world of mania. But no matter how he attmpts to help, it is for not. And this is the sad commetary on mental illness in general, but at the same time, the businessman becomes obsessed with Bartleby's trauma, so enraptured he becomes Bartleby. Great film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

I'd prefer not to leave a comment.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

85% I prefer not to...write a detailed account of what I thought of the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

Fans of crisp in clover will enjoy it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Jonathan Parker

Director

David Paymer

The Boss

Crispin Glover

Bartleby

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Synopsis

A manager (David Paymer) hires a strange employee (Crispin Glover) who, at first, is exceptionally efficient but then refuses to work.

Director: Jonathan Parker
Producer: Jonathan Parker
Screenwriter: Jonathan Parker, Catherine DiNapoli, Herman Melville
Production Co: Parker Film Company
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $141.4K
Runtime: 1h 22m
Sound Mix: Surround

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