Bartleby

"I would prefer not to."

2001 1h 25m EN

😐

5.8

MID

★5.8TMDB · 39

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An adaptation of Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener" told in the setting of a modern office.

“I would prefer not to.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Crispin Glover
Bartleby
David Paymer
The Boss
Glenne Headly
Vivian
Joe Piscopo
Rocky
Maury Chaykin
Ernest
Seymour Cassel
Frank Waxman
Dick Martin
The Mayor
Carrie Snodgress
Book Publisher

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jonathan Parker
Writers: Catherine DiNapoli, Jonathan Parker, Herman Melville
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

85 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

25 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jonathan Parker, shot by Wah Ho Chan. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Seth Asarnow. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Rick LeCompte shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Crispin Glover and David Paymer and Glenne Headly carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "I would prefer not to.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0230025 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jonathan Parker directs. Wah Ho Chan behind the camera. Seth Asarnow scores. Rick LeCompte cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

185 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
225 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Jonathan Parker, shot by Wah Ho Chan. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Seth Asarnow. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Rick LeCompte shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Crispin Glover and David Paymer and Glenne Headly carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "I would prefer not to.".
8IMDB entry: tt0230025 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 39 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
10Classified under 10 themes, including "psychological stress", "refusal", "office politics", "file clerk".