Bartleby

Based on Herman Melville's classic novella "Bartleby the Scrivener," this British production jumps continents (the setting is London rather than Wall Street) and centuries (20th, rather than 19th), but otherwise remains faithful to the spirit of Melville's enigmatic and very contemporary tale. John McEnery stars as Bartleby, the history-less job-seeker who takes a position as a clerk at an accounting firm. His boss (admirably portrayed by Paul Scofield) quickly finds himself at wit's end, when Bartleby responds to certain requests with the refrain: "I'd prefer not to." While the other employees begin to grumble amongst themselves over Bartleby's reluctance to do various aspects of the job, the boss tries to reason with the seemingly polite but stubborn Bartleby. Determined to lay it on the line, the boss arrives early to work one morning, only to be met at the office door by Bartleby, who says he's "not ready yet," and closes the door in the boss's face. Realizing that Bartleby has no home, and sleeps at the office, the boss begins his reasonable and compassionate arguments anew--to no avail. Although the 60s sounding jazz soundtrack tends to grate on one's nerves, the story itself is both stimulating and filled with haunting humor. Recommended. (R. Pitman)