Barfly
1987 Directed by Barbet Schroeder
Synopsis
Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.
Downtrodden writer Henry (Mickey Rourke) and distressed goddess Wanda (Faye Dunaway) aren't exactly husband and wife: they're wedded to their bar stools. But they like each other's company- and Barfly captures their giddy, gin-soaked attempts to make a go of life on the skids.
Cast
Popular reviews
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Not as offensive as Bukowski's written work but just as unimpressive to me. I really do not care for his approach towards life but fair play to him for making it work all the same. Rourke is pretty much perfect as Chinaski though.
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Although European director Barbet Schroeder had worked in documentary he was better known for the sexual themes of Maitresse. After this he made several televised interviews with cult American author Charles Bukowski. Bukowski, often considered the “poet of skid row”, was a drifter who had spent most of his life in cheap, dingy rooming houses and bars mixing with other down and out alcoholics and available women. Schroeder urged Bukowski to write an original screenplay based on these experiences and then spent many years trying to get it made before it finally attracted the attention of exploitation outfit Cannon Studios, who were vying for added respectability. The leading character provided an opportunity to a then-rising actor, Mickey Rourke, who in…
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Arguably the best film of Mickey Rourke's career. I always find it interesting when people downplay or dismiss him as an actor with no discernible talent. But I hold up Barfly as solid proof that he is extremely remarkable. The word "underrated" is thrown around alot in mainstream media to the point where it loses meaning. But Barfly if ever truly deserves the title of being underrated and overlooked.
Like with all films the proof is in the pudding and with Barfly it delivers on all fronts not only in the scope of acting but, editing, use of soundtrack, sets and script.
Rourke plays a once passionate poet who's original pursuits in life were to become a professional poet and…
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Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway turn in first rate performances as drunks who strike up a romantic relationship. The movie is funny, romantic, outrageous, and sad in equal measure. The movie is excellent at maintaining all these different shifts in tone.The movie was a pleasant surprise.
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Not as offensive as Bukowski's written work but just as unimpressive to me. I really do not care for his approach towards life but fair play to him for making it work all the same. Rourke is pretty much perfect as Chinaski though.
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Although I'm a huge Bukowski fan, I think that his novels don't work very well when adapted for the screen. Despite some great performances, it's just not very entertaining.
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[B+]
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Hilarious, yet sobering (ironically). A perfect translation of Bukowski's alter-ego to the medium of film. "Endurance is more important than truth".
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Do you hate people? No, I just feel better when they are not around.
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Notable only for Mickey Rourke's performance and Bukowski's script.
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Arguably the best film of Mickey Rourke's career. I always find it interesting when people downplay or dismiss him as an actor with no discernible talent. But I hold up Barfly as solid proof that he is extremely remarkable. The word "underrated" is thrown around alot in mainstream media to the point where it loses meaning. But Barfly if ever truly deserves the title of being underrated and overlooked.
Like with all films the proof is in the pudding and with Barfly it delivers on all fronts not only in the scope of acting but, editing, use of soundtrack, sets and script.
Rourke plays a once passionate poet who's original pursuits in life were to become a professional poet and…