daniel-s-cochran
This past weekend while looking through films and shows to watch during a bit of free time, I happened upon this modernized version of the Bartleby story.The casting was wonderful for the parts. I would like to further explain all the details in great lengths as to shy you should take the time to watch this film. Um . . .Actually, now that I think of it . . ."I prefer not to." (Enjoyable piece) If you like a bit of dark comedy as it pertains to the corporate world, then this piece is for you.dsc
mcshortfilm
I loved this film and I cannot believe how so few critics liked it. What were they thinking? Apparently one critic thought since it was based on a short story that the film should be shorter. Of course, once one critic says its too long, every other critic has to agree. I guess David Mamet is an exception to the rule. Bartleby is not too long. It deserves it's running time so that we can absorb the story more closely. When we hear Bartleby repeat the same words: "I'd prefer not to" we are not given any explanation for the comment but yet it becomes extremely poignant. Eventually everyone in the office begins to use the word "prefer" and we see how Bartleby has affected the workplace like a disease. The film is very bizarre particularly because of the way the boss reacts to Bartleby. Instead of just firing the guy for not doing his job, he tries to reason with him. Eventually Barlteby gets in an even more bizarre predicament that has even more to do with just "prefering not to" work. The boss is obsessed with Bartleby and the film turns very Kafkaesque. We see a capitalist scenario where people topple on another for greed, power and respect. The film is based on the short story "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville. It was appropriate to mention the source because the story seems very relevant not only to our modern culture but also to what Melville went after writing Moby Dick. The film also has a wonderful score with a Theramin instrument and a brilliant cinematography.
neubelt82
Bartleby is an excellent film. It was on HBO 2 days after I read Melville's "Bartleby" short story for college. This movie is a modernized version of Melville's tale but it keeps to the main purpose of the story very well without too much drastic changes and I think even Melville would approve of this movie. Do not see this movie without first carefully reading Melville's story first or it will not make sense to you and you won't enjoy it. This movie has some comedy to keep it light at times but the overall message that the viewer is supposed to get remains the same, I won't tell you the message so I don't spoil this movie for you. If you enjoy social comedies with depth in them this is your movie, if you only like comedies with cheesy humor than this is not the film for you. Personally, I will watch this movie again and I was pleasantly surprised, I highly recommend this "undiscovered" film.
George Parker
"Bartleby" is a pathetic indie comedy about a man, the title character (Glover), who is hired to work in a public records office and whenever asked to perform the only two functions in the office, verifying and filing, simply states "I'd prefer not to". A boss and three coworkers provide what meager comic relief is to be found in this flick in which Glover stands around catatonically taking up space while frustrating his boss. A feeble and amateurish attempt at film making, this bottom of the barrel flick is just another in a long line of junk indies; typically pictures on which some fledgling auteur cut his teeth before fading into the industry woodwork leaving his artifacts to circulate endlessly on tv. (D)
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