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Comedy drama

Bartleby (2002): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Bartleby (2002) movie poster

Bartleby is a 2002 comedy drama directed by Jonathan Parker, starring David Paymer and Crispin Glover. It is based on Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes and earned $148,479 worldwide. Critics gave it 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Rotten Tomatoes
36%
worldwide gross
$148.5K
Metascore
48
Bartleby (2002) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Jonathan Parker
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bartleby About?

The premise of Bartleby without spoilers, adapted from Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A meticulous manager's orderly existence is disrupted by a newly hired employee who initially impresses with his diligence. However, the worker soon begins to resist assigned tasks, declaring his inability to comply. This unusual situation challenges the manager's understanding of productivity and raises questions about the nature of work itself, leading to an increasingly tense and bizarre relationship.

Bartleby Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • office worker
  • public records office
  • employer employee relationship
  • insubordination
  • character name as title
  • satire comedy
  • boss
  • office
  • eccentricity
  • modern day adaptation
  • mesa
  • quality control
+38 more
  • under an overpass
  • symposium
  • business park
  • wet spot
  • air filter
  • alien conspiracy
  • publisher
  • food
  • charity
  • cafeteria
  • reference to ed mcmahon
  • reference to genghis khan
  • reference to don knotts
  • song
  • singing
  • singer
  • guitar
  • photocopier
  • train track
  • circus clown
  • beekeeper
  • museum guard
  • ship
  • collection agency
  • heart murmur
  • gift
  • cat
  • bourgeoisie
  • giving up
  • chauvinist
  • toothbrush
  • bar of soap
  • painting
  • wrapping a present
  • dog
  • cheating
  • tying a bow
  • vacuum cleaner
Where to watch

Where to Watch Bartleby

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Bartleby Cast

David Paymer leads the cast, with Crispin Glover. Directed by Jonathan Parker.

Ratings

Bartleby Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bartleby 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic.

Plot

Bartleby Plot Summary

What happens in Bartleby from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a routine drive to work, the Boss David Paymer—the unnamed manager of a public records office perched on a hill that’s completely inaccessible by foot—spots a man standing on an overpass. His office sits in a building atop that steep hill, and his small staff includes Ernest, an overweight, neurotic klutz; Rocky, who dresses and acts like a stereotypical mobster; and Vivian, a verbose, flirtatious, bluntly honest receptionist. To prepare for a predicted rise in workload, the Boss posts a fourth job, and the only applicant who shows up is the man from the overpass: Bartleby Crispin Glover.

Full summary

The whole story of Bartleby, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Bartleby Box Office

Bartleby grossed $148,479 worldwide.

2002 box office

Worldwide gross

$148.5K

US & Canada
$148.5K
Videos

Bartleby Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bartleby.

Bartleby - Trailer (2001)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bartleby?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrays the title character, Bartleby?

Cars

Cars in Bartleby

9 cars on screen, including the 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera and the 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado.

All 9 cars
  • 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera in Bartleby 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Important role
  • 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado in Bartleby 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Minor role
  • 1993 Ford Crown Victoria in Bartleby 1993 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2000 Audi TT in Bartleby 2000 Audi TT Background role
Details

Bartleby Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “老板是空气” and “Бартлби”.

Also known as
  • 老板是空气
  • Бартлби

Seen Bartleby?

FAQ

Bartleby FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Bartleby, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bartleby?

Bartleby runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Bartleby released?

Bartleby was released on May 24, 2002.

Who directed Bartleby?

Bartleby was directed by Jonathan Parker.

More films by Jonathan Parker

Who is in the cast of Bartleby?

Bartleby stars David Paymer and Crispin Glover.

Where can I watch Bartleby?

In the US, Bartleby is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Bartleby make at the box office?

Bartleby grossed $148,479 worldwide.

How is Bartleby rated?

Bartleby has 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 48 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Is Bartleby based on a book?

Yes. Bartleby is adapted from Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville.

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