American Splendor (2003)

This semi-autobiographical comedy/drama deals with the life of comic book writer Harvey Pekar, blurring the line between life and art. Paul Giamatti stars as Pekar — with Hope Davis as his wife and frequent collaborator Joyce Brabner — in a film that is as distinctive an experience as reading one of Pekar’s comics. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini make their non-documentary feature debut here, and fittingly incorporate appearances by the real-life counterparts of many of the characters dramatized throughout the film. American Splendor earned universal critical praise and an Academy Award nomination for its screenplay.