The problem is that once the life-lessons appear, the black humour drains out of the story, and Wilson's final diversion into comforting sentiment drifts too far from the prickly feel of the film's early scenes.
A charming performance from Harrelson keeps the disparate elements nicely congealed.
This is a film that, like its central character, steadily grows on you.
Very funny in places, Wilson runs out of steam as it heads towards a sentimental finale.
Daniel Clowes’s graphic novel does not translate well to the big screen, despite the star’s high-energy performance.
It’s episodic, not very funny and the redemptive ending feels far too forced.
Daniel Clowes: 'Wilson is like my nemesis--but I admire him also'.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday June 23, 2017, until Thursday June 29, 2017. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/