Screenplay data
Harvey Pekar, a curmudgeonly file clerk and aspiring writer, struggles with his mundane life in Cleveland, Ohio, finding an outlet by writing autobiographical comic books illustrated by his friend, Robert Crumb. After a series of failed relationships and a period of profound loneliness, Harvey begins a correspondence with Joyce Brabner, an intelligent but depressive woman from Delaware, leading to an awkward first meeting and their eventual marriage. Their relationship is a constant push and pull between Harvey's stubbornness and Joyce's anxieties, further complicated by Harvey's growing fame, including contentious appearances on the David Letterman show. Harvey's life takes a serious turn when he is diagnosed with cancer, forcing him and Joyce to confront their mortality and deepen their bond as they navigate his treatment and continue to create comics about their experiences.
Save the Cat beat sheet
American Splendor follows Harvey Pekar’s ordinary life as a file clerk turned underground comic writer, his partnership with Robert Crumb, and a late-in-life romance with Joyce that leads to unexpected challenges.
Open full beat sheetHarvey Pekar is listed as Protagonist. A schlumpy, curmudgeonly file clerk who writes autobiographical comic books. In the parsed data, Harvey Pekar is connected to 82 scenes, 171 dialogue lines, 182 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
82 scenes / 171 dialogue linesJoyce Brabner is listed as Harvey's third wife. An intelligent, controlling, and depressive woman obsessed with negative things. In the parsed data, Joyce Brabner is connected to 42 scenes, 90 dialogue lines, 91 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
42 scenes / 90 dialogue linesToby Radloff is listed as Harvey's friend. A socially awkward, monotone, robotic nerd who loves White Castle. In the parsed data, Toby Radloff is connected to 10 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
10 scenes / 22 dialogue linesDanielle is listed as Adopted daughter. A young girl who becomes part of Harvey and Joyce's family. In the parsed data, Danielle is connected to 10 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 71.
10 scenes / 10 dialogue linesFred is listed as Comic artist. A tough-looking but sensitive artist. In the parsed data, Fred is connected to 5 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 71.
5 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMr. Boats is listed as Co-worker. A portly, philosophical African-American maintenance worker. In the parsed data, Mr. Boats is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesRobert Crumb is listed as Comic artist. A shy, odd, and talented underground cartoonist. In the parsed data, Robert Crumb is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesAlice Quinn is listed as Acquaintance. A weary woman from Harvey's college days. In the parsed data, Alice Quinn is connected to 3 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 11 dialogue linesLana is listed as Ex-wife. A hippyish woman with a bad attitude. In the parsed data, Lana is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHarvey wakes up in the middle of the night, delirious and questioning his existence, before collapsing in front of his wife Joyce.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerA young Harvey Pekar goes trick-or-treating with other boys, feeling alienated and refusing to dress up as a superhero.
Harvey PekarHarvey visits a doctor regarding his lost voice and marital issues, fearing he has cancer.
Harvey PekarHarvey's second wife, Lana, leaves him while he is unable to speak.
Harvey Pekar, LanaHarvey interacts with his co-worker Mr. Boats at the V.A. Hospital.
Harvey Pekar, Mr. BoatsHarvey meets Robert Crumb at a garage sale.
Harvey Pekar, Robert CrumbHarvey and Crumb hang out, with Crumb sketching Harvey.
Harvey Pekar, Robert CrumbHarvey and Crumb sit on a park bench discussing Harvey's life, his divorce, his throat surgery, and his writing.
Harvey Pekar, Robert CrumbHarvey works in the file room, accidentally drops files, and becomes depressed after reading a file of a deceased clerk.
Harvey PekarHarvey struggles to find inspiration for his writing.
Harvey PekarHarvey gets stuck in a checkout line behind an old lady, leading to a meta-commentary with his cartoon self.
Harvey PekarHarvey begins storyboarding his first comic.
Harvey PekarHarvey wakes up, proud of his work, and observes workers outside.
Harvey PekarHarvey shows his comic mock-ups to Crumb, who agrees to illustrate them.
Harvey Pekar, Robert CrumbHarvey shows off the first issue of American Splendor to his co-workers.
Harvey Pekar, Toby Radloff, Mr. BoatsHarvey hangs out with his friends who tease him about his new comic.
Harvey PekarDocumentary footage of Harvey discussing the impact of his comics.
Harvey PekarHarvey reflects on his life and routine in the 1980s.
Harvey Pekar, Toby RadloffBehind the scenes of the movie production.
Harvey Pekar, Toby RadloffHarvey reflects on his loneliness.
Harvey PekarHarvey watches traffic from a bridge.
Harvey PekarHarvey runs into an old college acquaintance, Alice.
Harvey Pekar, Alice QuinnHarvey and Alice discuss literature and their lives while walking to her car.
Harvey Pekar, Alice QuinnHarvey reflects on his loneliness and the book he just finished.
Harvey PekarEstablishing shot of the comic store in Delaware.
Joyce is upset because the store sold out of American Splendor.
Joyce BrabnerJoyce writes a letter to Harvey.
Joyce BrabnerHarvey receives a letter from Joyce.
Harvey PekarHarvey reads Joyce's letter.
Harvey PekarHarvey and Joyce begin a correspondence and phone relationship.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce meet in person for the first time.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce have an awkward first date.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce return home and share an intimate moment interrupted by Joyce's illness.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce discuss their future.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey talks to Toby about his upcoming marriage and the movie Revenge of the Nerds.
Harvey Pekar, Toby RadloffHarvey, Joyce, and Toby leave the theater after watching the movie.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Toby RadloffDocumentary footage of the director discussing the characters.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerJoyce cleans and tries to organize while Harvey resists getting rid of his 78 records, leading to an argument about their relationship and Harvey's personality.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerNeurosis montage scene where Crumb interacts with a fan.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Robert CrumbJoyce picks up Harvey from work and labels Mr. Boats.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Mr. BoatsHarvey leaves a message on the machine about a play; Joyce labels him.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce watch a play about their lives.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce walk through the terminal discussing the play.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerJoyce brings up the idea of having a family; Harvey refuses.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce argue about the mess and her depression.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey buys herbal tea for Joyce.
Harvey PekarHarvey tries to cheer Joyce up; they receive a call from Letterman's producer.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerEstablishing shot of New York.
Harvey and Joyce eat lunch in the park.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey walks down the hall in his underwear.
Harvey PekarHarvey and Joyce prepare for the Letterman show.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce wait for the Letterman show.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerToby films a commercial; Harvey visits the set.
Harvey Pekar, Toby RadloffHarvey and Joyce eat breakfast; a fan approaches Harvey.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce eat breakfast and argue about Joyce's plan to visit Jerusalem for a political comic project.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey drops Joyce off at a cab for her trip to Jerusalem.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey discovers a lump while alone in bed.
Harvey PekarHarvey gets into an argument with his co-worker Miguel.
Harvey Pekar, Mr. BoatsHarvey struggles to draw comic ideas.
Harvey PekarHarvey is unable to sleep.
Harvey PekarHarvey yells at Joyce over the phone.
Harvey PekarHarvey prepares for his Letterman appearance.
Harvey PekarHarvey confronts Letterman on air.
Harvey PekarToby watches Harvey on Letterman.
Toby RadloffMr. Boats watches Harvey on Letterman.
Mr. BoatsHarvey rides in a car while hearing the show in his head.
Harvey PekarJoyce returns and they discuss their relationship.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce receive a cancer diagnosis.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce process the diagnosis.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey and Joyce rest.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerFred the artist arrives to work on the comic.
Joyce Brabner, Danielle, FredHarvey returns home and struggles to get in.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Danielle, FredHarvey reviews Fred's sketches.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Danielle, FredMontage of Harvey's treatment.
Harvey PekarHarvey, Joyce, and Fred work on the comic.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, FredHarvey deals with hair loss.
Harvey PekarHarvey reviews more art.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Danielle, FredHarvey is depressed on the floor.
Harvey PekarHarvey has a delirious moment with Joyce.
Harvey Pekar, Joyce BrabnerHarvey has a surreal dream sequence.
Harvey PekarYes, I consider myself a nerd. And this movie has uplifted me. There's this one scene where a nerd grabs the microphone during a pep rally and announces that he is a nerd and that he is proud of it and stands up for the rights of other nerds. Then, he asks the kids at the pep rally who think they are nerds to come forward... So nearly everyone in the place does. That's the way the movie ends.
Yeah, so I guess comics brought me a lot. But don't think this is some sunny, happy ending. Every day is still a major struggle. Joyce an' I fight like crazy, an' she barely works. The kid's got A.D.D. and is a real handful. My expenses have gone up so much that I'm writin' freelance 'round the clock, just to make my bills. My life is total chaos.
Hmm. I support and identify with groups like PETA, but unfortunately I'm a self-diagnosed anemic. Also, I have all these food allergies to vegetables that give me serious intestinal distress. I guess I have a lot of borderline health disorders that limit me politically when it comes to eating.
Uh, she said something about next Tuesday, which is fine with me. Only thing is, I might have the kid again. My ex-wife's supposed to take her, but I don't have much faith in her showing up. She is in worse shape than me these days.
Listen, goily, dese glasses are six for $2.00 because I couldn't carry twelf... But I vanted twelf so today I'm buying six more... But you should only charge me $1.50 for dem... It's ok, you can esk de meneger.
Y'see, I wasn't even married a month and my old lady was already showin' signs a' trouble. Granted, I tend ta get married fast 'cause I'll take any woman that'll have me, but this time I really met my match...
Sure, I'd be glad t'come. But if you really wanna do me a favor, introduce me to some a' your single girlfriends. I bet they're all smart like you. I'm no catch, though, so I'll take anything you can get me.
But don't think I buy into this 'growth' crap. Everybody talks about how bad experiences can cause ya t'grow, an' all that clichéd stuff. I've had enough bad experiences and growth to last me plenty.
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