Bartleby

Bartleby is an enigmatic comedy-drama film that revolves around the intersection of work, monotony, and the human spirit. The film is directed by Jonathan Parker, and released in the year 2001. It stars notable actors like David Paymer, Crispin Glover, and Glenne Headly in the principal roles. Proof that a classic, when handled with respect and creativity, can be adapted into another successful medium, Bartleby is a modern interpretation of Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener".

The plot’s central figure, named Bartleby just like Melville’s original protagonist, is portrayed by none other than Crispin Glover. Glover, known for his uniquely eccentric performances in films such as "Back to the Future" and "Charlie’s Angels", provides an extremely enigmatic and inscrutable projection of the character. Bartleby is an introverted, achingly silent 'no man', whose most famous phrase is 'I would prefer not to', illustrating a passive refusal towards work and life itself.

David Paymer stars as an office manager, a character who can be seen as an embodiment of a hapless middle manager trying to navigate the labyrinthine world of bureaucratic administration. When the business relocates to a remote and dismal new office building, he hires the eccentric Bartleby to help out his considerably overworked team, involving Ernie (Joe Piscopo), Rocky (Maury Chaykin), and Vivian (Glenne Headly). But their dreary office world is soon disrupted by Bartleby’s refusal to engage in conventional work norms.

The film showcases a quiet rebellion against the mind-numbing corporatization of contemporary life, with Bartleby’s strange passive nature starting to infect the other workers. What begins as the manager's minor inconvenience rapidly spirals out into a surreal and metaphysical crisis. It consequently puts a spotlight on the dehumanization happening within workplaces and showcases the struggles of individuals cogged in the seemingly endless machinery of mindless jobs.

The droll humor and the absurdity of Bartleby reflect an existential leaning. It offers the viewers not just an in-depth exploration of societal norms and human behavior but also an evocative exploration of personal space, consumer habits, office politics, and metaphysical inertia. Glover’s fragilely potent presentation of Bartleby is one to remember and forms the beating heart of this remarkable film.

David Paymer's contribution to the film as the unfulfilled manager is a fine balance between frustration and compassion. Paymer provides the perfect counterpoint to Glover's enigmatic character letting the audience sympathize with the challenges of a man simply trying to keep his office running smoothly, even as it descends into chaos. Meanwhile, Glenne Headly provides a warm, endearing performance as the lovably eccentric and self-assertive secretary who, along with the audience, tries to make sense of Bartleby’s paradoxical disposition.

Bartleby wonderfully blends Melville's tale with contemporary filmmaking materials, creating excellent synergy between the old and the new, the verbal and the visual. The film's production design is particularly commendable. The office's drab environment is reminiscent of dying plants, florescent lights flickering with a seemingly lifeless buzz, dull filing cabinets, and grimy windows forming a visual symphony of colorless monotony.

Crispin Glover excels at lending his unique acting abilities to make the character of Bartleby outlandishly peculiar and somewhat relatable. Utilizing Glover’s inherent talent for playing eccentric characters, director Jonathan Parker offers audiences an amusing, yet thoughtful existential excursion. Moreover, the director utilizes a strong supporting cast that helps breathe life into the environment and circumstances that Bartleby is set in.

In conclusion, Bartleby is an enjoyable and intriguing film which presents a subtle satire on the organized corporate sector and the hidden perils of monotony at work. It is a clever highlight of the dehumanization occurring in modern office settings and society. The movie intricately blends dry comedy with metaphysical commentary on the nature of will and freedom. The compelling performances of the cast, especially Crispin Glover’s portrayal of Bartleby the enigmatic “non-doer”, makes it a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience that surely has a lasting impact on the viewer. Take this movie out for a spin if you're in for a surreal, quirky, symbolic yet entertaining cinematic journey.