American Splendor (2003)

Blurring the line between life and art, this adaptation of Harvey Pekar’s long-running American Splendor comic book series features Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis as Pekar and Joyce Brabner, respectively, as they dramatize the true story behind their lives and the comics themselves. Although the source material itself serves as an autobiographical account of Pekar’s life, the film takes this self-referential approach one step further, including footage of Pekar and Brabner themselves as they discuss their thoughts on the actors’ depiction of them. Directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini — who received an Oscar nomination for their screenplay — truly employ a unique style to bring Pekar’s life and his work to the big screen. American Splendor even secured the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Film at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and earned universal critical acclaim, all without a single masked avenger in sight.