IMDb > Factotum (2005)
Factotum
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 18 | slideshow) Videos (see all 12 NEW)
Factotum (2005) -- This drama centers on Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of "Factotum" author Charles Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles, CA trying to live off jobs which don't interfere with his primary interest, which is writing. Along the way, he fends off t
Factotum (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Factotum (2005) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Factotum (2005) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)
Factotum (2005) -- MovieMaze.de - Trailer (Quicktime)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   6,315 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Bent Hamer
Writers:
Charles Bukowski (novel)
Bent Hamer (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Factotum on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 ÁPRILIS 2005 (Norway) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Romance more
Tagline:
What matters most is how you well you walk through the fire. more
Plot:
This drama centers on Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of "Factotum" author Charles Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles, CA trying to live off jobs which don't interfere with his primary interest, which is writing. Along the way, he fends off the distractions offered by women, drinking and gambling. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
3 wins & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
Wickedly funny, near perfect dark comedy more (72 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Matt Dillon ... Hank Chinaski
Lili Taylor ... Jan
Didier Flamand ... Pierre
Fisher Stevens ... Manny

Marisa Tomei ... Laura

Adrienne Shelly ... Jerry

Karen Young ... Grace
Thomas Lyons ... Tony Endicott (as Tom Lyons)
Dean Brewington ... Old Black Man
James Cada ... Bald Man
James Michael Detmar ... Smithson
Kurt Schweickhardt ... Ice Plant Supervisor
Dee Noah ... Hank's Mother
James Noah ... Hank's Father
Michael Egan ... Taxi Office Clerk
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Factotum (France)
Factotum: A Man Who Performs Many Jobs (USA) (long title)
more
Runtime:
94 min
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Company:
Arte more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This is the second feature film in which Matt Dillon and Fisher Stevens go to the horse races (the first being "Flamingo Kid"). more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: In the scene where Lili Taylor's character changes out of her high heel shoes the reflection of the dolly tracks is visible in the polished stone of the building. more
Quotes:
Henry Chinaski: 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... more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2006-09-02)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Where Breathing Starts more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 28 people found the following comment useful.
Wickedly funny, near perfect dark comedy, 20 JÚLIUS 2006
10/10
Author: (roland@atkinsononfilm.com) from Portland, Oregon, United States

Deliciously acerbic, wickedly funny, fast paced, expertly crafted dark comedy. Based on an autobiographical novel by the misanthropic Charles Bukowski, The Norwegian co-writer-director Bent Hamer, who made the droll 2003 comedy, "Kitchen Stories," has created a nearly perfect film here. Factotum, we are told in the opening credits, is a word that means "a person who performs many jobs." Indeed, the story is more-or-less organized around the myriad jobs sought and botched by the protagonist, unsuccessful short story writer and all around lowlife Henry Chinaski (Matt Dillon). The other principal organizing focus in Chinaski's life is the women he squeezes and drinks with, primarily slutty Jan (Lili Taylor) and, more passingly, the somewhat classier Laura (Marisa Tomei). Rounding out the cast are Henry's horse race handicapping buddy Manny (Fisher Stevens) and Pierre, a wealthy Frenchman who composes operas and surrounds himself with prostitutes (Didier Flamand).

If one were to posit a film genre called comedy noir - dark, devilish American comedies set in lowlife surrounds like taverns and sleazy apartments, when possible dimly lit and narrated by the anti-hero protagonist, intoning in flat, world-weary, matter-of-fact voiceovers, as in a Raymond Chandler detective story - then "Factotum" would be the defining film for this genre. What other films to include? Among recent ones, "Hustle & Flow" comes quickly to mind. "The Big Lebowski," and maybe some other films by the Coens. Quite a lot of Jim Jarmusch's oeuvre, but "Down By Law" for sure. Steve Buscemi's "Trees Lounge." "Pulp Fiction," of course. This film is steeped in richly cynical dialogue, well written (in collaboration with Jim Stark, who also co-wrote "Cold Fever"), well photographed (by John Christian Rosenlund), and well edited (alas, no credit is given for this achievement on either the IMDb or the film's own website). Dillon and Taylor give superb turns. My grade: 10/10 (A)

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (72 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Factotum (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Best line in the movie... jabberttp
Location taylorcp
A good actor to play Bukowski would be... freaky-styley101
I really liked Jan. cgrady-2
Ending... luvehorror
play feel to it StoneVed
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Sid and Nancy Boy A Die Blechtrommel My Own Private Idaho The Holy Mountain
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb France section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.