More evidence that Matt Dillon is, perhaps, the greatest actor of his generation; Dillon plays troubled writer Charles 'Barfly' Bukowski's thinly veiled alter ego; Henry Chinawski: work-shy writer, alcoholic and lover of the finer things in life. A factotum (i.e. worker who does a variety of jobs) who lives for booze, women, booze, writing and gambling (in that order). Norwegian director Bent Hamer's skilful adaption of the text can be a tad depressing at times; as we watch Chinawski crash from one dive to another, fumbling around in a drunken stupor (though never too inebriated to spend time with the likes of Lilly Taylor or Marisa Tomei and offer insightful viewpoints on life). 'Factotum' is a well written, brilliantly acted stream of consciousness, an often bizarre balancing act between the depiction of socio-economic reality and tragi-comic surrealism. At worst; Chinawski a man who squanderers his talent for life's fleeting pleasures, but he's never a villain, nor a loser and his closing advice is nothing short of an eloquent polemic that asks us to join him in the vehement rejection of mediocrity, in spite of society and all its flawed doctrines masquerading as rules-to-live-by. 'Factotum' is a film that requires a second viewing in order to fully appreciate its subtleties / downbeat humour and is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made.

Who cares about Matt Dillon in Crash? This is what he should've got the Oscar nomination for. Unfortunately, this film doesn't contain any 'messages' or tackle any 'issues' as Crash supposedly does.Instead, what you have is Bukowski's Chinaski in all his shabby glory and Dillon nails it.
Certainly not to everyone's taste and in parts difficult to watch, but people are people and sometimes it seems like imperfections are all we consist of. As brilliantly illustrated here.
If you learn nothing else from this film other than to not fall asleep with cream on your willy, then some good has been done.