It's taken awhile, but Matt Dillon has finally combined two genres that he really loves: independent cinema and comedy. His new picture "Factotum" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year and has finally gotten U.S. distribution after screening at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"Look, independent films -- you have to be careful about when you release it and timing is a big part of it," Dillon says regarding the delay in getting picked up. "I love talking about the film, though. It's my kind of humor all the way, and I'm proud of the movie all the way."

What's so surprising about "Factotum" is that if you'd read the festival guide's summary, you'd assume Dillon and co-stars Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei were starring in a gritty, depressing drama. Instead, the picture finds humor in a most understated way without mocking its subject matter.

Dillon says the picture, "reminds me of ... a lot of those older comedies like 'Harold and Maude.' The actors played it with emotional conviction. They weren't trying to be funny and clownish. I think that's the whole secret of comedy. To play it emotionally straight."

Factotum means "one employed to do a variety of jobs," and as a misunderstood writer (and alcoholic) who can't stay employed for long, Dillon's character ends up working in an ice house, a pickle factory, a bicycle factory and as a janitor. Having shot his first movie at age 14, Dillon's nonacting experiences really only include having a newspaper route as a kid. He says his own bad jobs have been "movies that I wasn't too happy about doing."

A movie that won't make that list is this summer's "You, Me and Dupree." The picture from the creators of "Arrested Development" finds Dillon playing a newlywed whose best friend decides to crash long-term at his new home. Owen Wilson plays Dupree (gee, think he's found his "crasher" niche?) and Kate Hudson plays Dillon's wife. In a departure, Dillon plays the straight man, making him the comedic foil to Wilson's quirky freeloader.

"[There is] that old adage, 'dying is easy, comedy is hard' and it's really true," Dillon says. "In my own way, I got to do a lot of really funny stuff. Just working off Owen was great. He's a very spontaneous, free kind of actor. I really enjoyed working with him."

"Factotum" will arrive in theaters later this year. "You, Me and Dupree" opens nationwide July 14.