Factotum

Even though it was filmed here and directed by a Norwegian native, Factotum, based on the Charles Bukowski novel, is anything but Minnesota Nice. Like this spring’s film version of Ask The Dust—based on the novel that got Bukowski started as a writer—Factotum offers up Hollywood beauties playing the bums. This time it’s Matt Dillon as Henry Chinaski, the alcoholic who can’t hold even the most menial job to support his booze and writing habits, and Marisa Tomei as Laura, the down-on-her-luck broad whom Chinaski will use and abuse. On one hand, we hope Factotum will retain at least some of Bukowski’s edgy humor and eye for squalor, but on the other hand, his treatment of women could, to say the least, use some softening.