Factotum review

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Having Matt Dillon play author/oddjobber Charles Bukowski (as his alterego Henry Chinaski) might seem like a strange fit. Dillon's a good-looking guy whose only vice these days is caffeine; Bukowski was a paunchy, acne-scarred slob who liked a drink or 20. Dig deeper and it makes sense, though: a younger Dillon shared much the same lifestyle (booze, womanising, fame) and he now evokes a similar mix of angst and soul.

Tapping into the spirit of his subject rather than attempting a physical transformation, Dillon shuffles from menial job to seedy bar to menial job. He also finds time to have a flutter on the ponies and share a sweet-but-tempestuous relationship with Lili Taylor's fellow drifter, Jan. And that's it.

This cheap-as-pork-scratchings indie softens the source novel's edges but still thrums with courage and truth. Seek it out and it'll touch your heart.

NOVERDICT

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.