Bartleby

Starring:Paul Scofield, John McEnery, Thorley Walters, Colin Jeavons, Raymond Mason, Charles Kinross, Neville Barber, Robin Askwith, Hope Jackman, John Watson (II), Christine Dingle, Rosalind Elliot, Tony Parkin
Director: Anthony Friedman
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Cult figure Crispin Glover lends his eerie presence to Bartleby, a modern adaptation of the classic short story "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville (author of Moby Dick). The unnamed manager of a public records firm (David Paymer), after receiving a commission from the city government, hires a new clerk--an inarticulate man named Bartleby (Glover), who proves to be an efficient filer. But gradually, Bartleby begins to withdraw from the world, first refusing to do additional tasks, then finally refusing to do any work at all--yet due to Bartleby's utterly passive means of refusal (he simply says, "I would prefer not to"), the manager feels incapable of firing him. The movie inconsistently captures the subtle tone of Melville's story, but at its best Bartleby becomes quietly mesmerizing and unsettling. Also featuring Glenne Headley, Seymour Cassel, Maury Chaykin, and Joe Piscopo. --Bret Fetzer

Description

When the manager of a public records firm decides his staff of three could use some help, he hires Bartleby, the one and only candidate who applies for the job. But before long, the eccentric new employee creates an uproar by repeatedly defying his boss with the phrase "I'd prefer not to." 1.85 5.1 mix, interviews w/cast (in character), mini director commentary, About the Theremin video, trailer, filmographies, weblinks

Customer Reviews:

The Man Who Preferred Not To..........2007-04-10

"Bartleby", the first film directed and written by Jonathan Parker is a real gem - modern version of the Melville's short story "Bartleby the Scrivener" with absolutely amazing cast.

Crispin Glover plays Bartleby, the man who was hired, but preferred not to work and who was fired, but preferred not to leave. David Paymer is his clueless boss who tries to understand what he is dealing with. Glenne Headly is Vivian, an office secretary, the woman of many adorable talents; Maury Chaykin, and Joe Piscopo are his coworkers in the one of the most boring office ever existed. The office is located in the building that sits on the top of the hill and comes directly from the El Greco's painting "View of Toledo" with its atmosphere of mystery, danger, and loneliness: Would you like to work in the building like that? I'd prefer not to...

I believe Parker made a very impressive debut - the film is creatively shot, the use of music is amazing - Beethoven's sonata turns into a creepy, quirky and moody Bartleby's theme for which Parker used theremin - very interesting and unique musical instrument. Parker and his co -writer transported 'Bartleby the Scrivener' into a surreal and absurd black comedy - satire on bureaucracy and contemporary alienation in the insane and cruel world.

Franz Kafka's name came to my mind more than once while watching the film - he would've loved that absurd, funny but dark and sad story. Also, if ever a good movie is made about one of the greatest and tragic writers of 20th Century, Crispin Glover should play him. Just compare their pictures...

I'd prefer not to review this movie.......2007-01-04

"I'd prefer not to." That is Bartleby, the new office worker's, constant refrain, when asked to perform tasks at work. And then when he's fired and asked to leave as well. It seems that really Bartleby would prefer not to do anything.

Crispin Glover portrays the enigmatic Bartleby with the creepy calmness that is his specialty. This film is really what an independent film should be. It's clear that the budget is low, the sets are simple, the cast small, but the performances and script make this film superb.

Having not read the Herman Melville book this is based on, Bartleby the Scrivener, I can't compare this adaptation to the original story, or comment on how it does or doesn't stick to the original themes. What I can say is that this is a very interesting movie with many standout performances. If you like quirky offbeat independent films, this is definitely a movie for you.

The DVD has interviews with all the cast members in character, which is pretty cool, but the interview with Crispin Glover discussing the concepts of the film is definitely the best. He offers a little bit of insight into the general theme of the film and the meaning behind "I'd prefer not to".

An Apt Adaptation.......2005-09-10

Melville's sometimes disturbing and creepy text gets a fine rendition, overall, in this 2000 Jonathan Parker adaptation. Crispin Glover is remarkable as Bartelby, and Glenne Headly is a fine boss.
Some of the other characterizations, however, don't work quite as well. Neither does the dialog that isn't from Melville. But don't let the unevenness of the movie put you off. It is the kind thing that folks who like this kind of thing would prefer. Or not.

Decent film.......2005-07-16

This is a decent film, I'm not that familiar with the original story but it's still good. The thing I liked most about it is that Bartleby's attitude is basically everybody's when it comes to work. Your boss tells or ask you to do something and most of the time if not all of the time you would prefer not too. Anyways, this is worth checking out, good acting and good story

Odd and nervy. I loved it!.......2005-01-28

I'LL KEEP THIS REVIEW SHORT AND SIMPLE. Bartleby has become one of my most favorite indie films to date. It's so bizzare and different, it truely stands out from any movie I've ever seen. I used to work in an office like this and its painfully realistic in my opininon. Granted, the characters in this movie are exaggerated for entertainment purposes but I can totally recall past co-workers in this film. This movie is bound to become a cult classic. If you enjoy dark and oddball comedies, this movie has your name all over it.

Average customer rating:

Eerily Successful
Very Good Rendering!
Bartleby - the movie

Bartleby
Starring: Paul Scofield , John McEnery , Thorley Walters , Colin Jeavons , and Raymond Mason
Director: Anthony Friedman
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000093NS7
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Description

Updated to 1970s London, this faithful adaptation of Herman Melville's classic follows a young accounting clerk rebelling against his employer by responding to demands to do work by saying, "I prefer not to." This is carried on ad absurdum until the office is in chaos because the other employees must do Bartleby's work. His boss is unable to fire or help him and eventually has him placed in a mental hospital. Paul Scofield (A Man for All Seasons), John McEnery (The Duellists) and Thorley Walters (TV's "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy") star in this impeccably mounted study of employment, insanity, and the rigors of everyday life from one of literature's most acclaimed geniuses.

Customer Reviews:

Eerily Successful.......2006-06-03

This shot at one of Melville's best known stories is both a startling short film and on target as to it source. Moved to that banal modern London that Prince Charles is always grumbling about, it turns those plain buildings and awful alleys into the sort of wierd surrealistic beauty that is food for Bartleby's unfathomable spirit. A bold filmic choice, while this locale does not totally explain why he "prefers not to" do much of anything but faceless jobs, and then only half-heartedly, it sets him and gives him gritty and explicable context.

Here an auditor rather than Melville's copyist, Bartleby is taklen in by a small firm's unfailingly decent head marvelously portrayed by Paul Schofield. The battle of wills ensues, a fable of the modern world still appropriate and telling, funny and monumentally frightful. One nows sees that Melville here was a harbinger of Ionesco and Beckett in this relentless experiment in minimalism and ambiguity. This film is a must see for any devotee of America's greatest author, whose facets continue to prove an unexplored goldmine.

Very Good Rendering!.......2004-04-02

The cheesy television drama music score doesn't do wonders, to a mostly wonderful adaptation of Melville's story.
The only other drawback is that the moviemakers didn't have the guts to develop the two supporting co-worker characters, who were perhaps the most memorable part of that story. Melville was tremendous at developing lesser characters the same way Shakespeare paid attention to such details.
But the two main characters, Bartleby and his boss, are marvelously portrayed. They really hit the nail on the head and didn't change their characters from the story at all. Those two characters and the actors who play them make this movie very much worthwhile.

Bartleby - the movie.......1999-10-03

The book is kinda fun and the movie is an excellent supplemental..

Average customer rating:

Bartleby
Starring: Bartleby
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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