The transplant didn't take in Barfly, and it works no better here in Factotum. In each case, the baying of the boozehounds just seems repetitious and banal -- the noise endures but the joy is gone.

Quite dull, truth be told. As good as Dillon and Taylor are in their roles, making us side with them even as we despise them, there's not a whole lot that happens in a life ruled by the bottle, the butt and the shag.

Is it just me or is Matt Dillon just getting better with age?

Every scene or bit of dialogue seems purposeful but disagreeable - since it's based on the controversial tales of Charles Bukowski.