Just as Herman Melville wrote "Bartleby the Scrivner" at novella length, so too should Jonathan Parker, director/scripter/producer of this darkly comic adaptation, have kept to a truncated format. As a short film, "Bartleby," with its wonderfully eccentric protagonists, oblique aura and palpably-realized claustrophobic atmosphere, could have been a witty evocation of the desperation and surreality of mundanity. As a feature-length film, it wears out its welcome as tryingly as the title character. Starring Crispin Glover, David Paymer, Glenne Headly, Joe Piscopo and Maury Chaykin. Directed by Jonathan Parker. Written and produced by Jonathan Parker and Catherine di Napoli. An Outrider release. Black comedy. Rated PG-13 for some sexual content. Running time: 82 min
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