DVD of the Week: Factotum

Factotum stars Matt Dillon in his greatest role yet as Charles Bukowski’s famed literary alter ego Henry Chinaski, an unemployed louse with ambitions no greater than persistent drunkenness. Chinaski wants to be a writer, but he more often finds himself getting hired and quickly fired from work-a-day dead end jobs. The entire film has a wonderfully subtle, comic touch that transforms simple scenarios into hilarious revelations of Chinaski’s psyche and hidden charm. Even scenes of absolute silence become expressive moments packed with an awkward, dry wit. Nothing here begs for sympathy and affection. It’s not a desperate film in search of awards and aiming to purposefully draw out weepy emotions. Like its lead, it has limited aspirations, but it is so perfect at doing what it intends that it’s hard to find a flaw.

Also new to DVD this week is Brian De Palma’s The Black Dahlia. It's a clever film that closely mimics 1940s noir looks and styles while also adding some striking contemporary touches. Scarlett Johansson could not have a more perfect face for De Palma’s nostalgic lense and the extremely talented Hilary Swank and Aaron Eckhart both get to play around with interesting roles that go against their usual types. Dahlia is vicious campy fun with some real thrills and cool twists. Noir fans and those looking for something a little more exciting this week should be very pleased. You can pick up The Last Kiss on DVD this week as well. It’s a sort of complacent and kind of over glossy dramedy that’s always straddling the line between witty drama and maudlin cliché. It’s not quite pitch perfect, but it’s rare to see such a wise and ambitious relationship drama done for the MTV set. Garden State and “Scrubs” star Zach Braff lends his sad eyes and indie albums to the role of the adulterous lead character with a string of impressive actors including Tom Wilkinson and Blythe Danner rounding out the supporting cast. The Last Kiss may not be perfect, but it still hits many of the right notes and delivers a warm humor that’s lacking in a lot of films. If nothing else, it unleashed the phrase “quarter life crisis” into the pop culture mainstream. In a world where kids grow up faster and adults get mixed up sooner, everyone seems to be pushing the panic button pre-40th birthday. Fortunately, Zach Braff will happily sulk with you.