Main Cast: Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, Alice Krige, Jack Nance, J.C. Quinn
Release Year: 1987
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
Plot
Charles Bukowski, the talented crown prince of self-abuse, wrote the short stories upon which the surprisingly entertaining Barfly was based. The film concentrates on alcoholic writer Mickey Rourke (the Bukowski alter ego) who carries on a hate-hate relationship with bartender Frank Stallone. Rourke makes the acquaintance of another of society's castaways, Faye Dunaway, who in addition to being a souse is said to be crazy. They move in together, even though Dunaway all but promises to be unfaithful for the price of a drink. Rourke has a chance to clean up his act when offered a large commission for his writings by publisher Alice Krige. They too end up in bed, each trying to change the other. The clarion call of the cheap wine bottle overrides Rourke's half-hearted efforts to enter the mainstream. Watch for author Charles Bukowski, as well as Fritz "Pop!" Feld and Vance Colvig (who's made a career out of playing street people) in Barfly bit parts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Barbet Schroeder's romanticized portrait of self-mythologizing writer and drunk Charles Bukowski skillfully draws one into the world of these damaged characters. What little story there is concerns the writer's (Mickey Rourke) daily ritual of massive alcohol intake, fighting, and writing. With the appearance of Faye Dunaway a fellow lush, the possibility of romance glimmers on the horizon. A labor of love for Schroeder, who cajoled Bukowski for years to finish the script, it captures the writer's matted hair, filthy clothes, bloodied features, and perennial alcoholic stupor with loving care. He's as happy as a king in his castle. In Dunaway, he finds his ideal mate, one who likes to drink and talk all day, and head home with him at night. The self- awareness of these two sharp characters gives their scenes a tragic-comic edge, and their relationship is the best part of the film. When you hear the word "sordid", the name Mickey Rourke spring to mind, and he perfectly nails the character's grandiose self-abasement. Dunaway is superb as well, with the bizarre catfight scene conjuring memories of Mommie Dearest (1981). The photography of the gifted Robby Muller transforms the dive these characters inhabit into a place of ugly beauty. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
Frank Stallone - Eddie; Wil Albert - Carl; Roberta Bassin - Lily; Carlos Cervantes - Cop; Rik Colitti - Jack, The Window Washer; Vance Colvig - Alcoholic Man; Fritz Feld - Bum; Albert Henderson - Louie; Damon Hines - Black Kid; Ronald G. Joseph - Liquor Store Clerk; Gloria Le Roy - Grandma Moses; Sandy Martin - Janice; Donald L. Norden - Man in alley; Julie "Sunny" Pearson - Hooker in Bar; Stacey Pickren - Lady Manager; Joe Rice - Old Man in Bar; Debbie Lynn Ross - Lovebird Woman; George Marshall Ruge - Lovebird Man; Hal Shafer - Mike; Pearl Shear - Helen; Leonard Termo - Harry; Joe Unger - Ben; Pruitt Taylor Vince - Joe; Michael Collins - "Elbow Inn" Bartender; Zeke Manners - Roger; Sandy Rose - Louie's Woman; Peter Conti - Cop; Lahmard J. Tate - Black Kid; Harry Cohn - Rick
Credit
Jack Baran - Associate Producer, Myron Meisel - Artistic Advisor, Robert MacDonald - Casting, Pat Orseth - Casting, Milena Canonero - Costume Designer, Jack Baran - First Assistant Director, Barbet Schroeder - Director, Eva Gardos - Editor, Yoram Globus - Executive Producer, Menahem Golan - Executive Producer, Jack Baran - Composer (Music Score), Bob Ziembicki - Production Designer, Robby Müller - Cinematographer, Tom Luddy - Producer, Fred Roos - Producer, Barbet Schroeder - Producer, Lisa Dean - Set Designer, Petur Hliddal - Sound/Sound Designer, Charles Bukowski - Screenwriter, Charles Bukowski - Book Author
The Kino Flo light, now a ubiquitous tool in the film industry, was specially created by Robby Muller's electrical crew for a scene in this film which would have been difficult to light using the conventional lampheads available at the time.
During the day, Henry Chinaski (Mickey Rourke) writes poetry and short stories, which he submits to literary magazines. Drinking and fighting is how he spends his nights. He gets into several altercations with the bartender Eddie, whom he despises, and finds out that his girlfriend Wanda slept with Eddie. Despite this fact he stays with her and continues to drink his nights away. He is discovered by Tully Wilcox, who pays him five hundred dollars; she leads Henry to her home where the two sleep together. At first Henry seems at peace making the big bucks, but soon finds out he is meant for the streets and cheap bars and hotels. He leaves Tully's house telling her he feels that he "can't breathe in a high class" and that he is "trapped in a cage with golden bars." He returns to his usual bar, to the warm embrace of Wanda and all his bar friends. Tully tracks him down and a jealous Wanda tackles her and proceeds to give her a beating. Tully, knowing that Henry will never want to grow up, tells him, "Good luck--you will need it." In the end of the film Henry buys drinks for all of the people in the bar. Eddie suspects Henry has no money and says he owes for an over forty dollar tab on drinks. Henry pays and leaves a tip for Eddie saying, "Buy a drink on me." The film closes with Eddie buying more drinks for all the " Barflies." Henry raises his glass of scotch and says, "To all my friends," where he is given a round of applause. After finishing his drink he asks Wanda if he fights Eddie tonight and loses, will she go with Eddie? She says, "No," she is Henry's girl from here on out. The last shot is of Henry and Eddie looking at each other; Eddie seems to have a hint of respect for Henry. He takes off his jacket and heads to their old fighting ground in the back parking lot. Henry follows and the camera pans out to the front of the bar as the sound of punches and cheers are heard as the credits roll.
There is a scene where the camera pans upward over Faye Dunaway's legs. This glamour shot was done at her insistence and some fans of the movie consider this scene, and her character in general, to be in stark contrast to the theme of the movie.[3]
Charles Bukowski later dramatized his experiences surrounding the film in the book Hollywood.
References
^ Bukowski, Charles. Barfly: The Continuing Saga of Henry Chinaski (1984) ISBN 0-920348-44-0 DELUXE
