DVD Barfly

Director Barbet Schroeder's screen adaptation of a semi-autobiographical script by Charles Bukowski pulls no punches in portraying the seedy, skid-row existence of a grimy alcoholic (played by Mickey Rourke) who hides a poetic genius under his scuzzy exterior.

Henry Chinaski doesn't write sweet, flowery poems. He writes gritty, raw poems, filled with the hunger of his impoverished, addicted existence. He stokes his fires with alcohol, starts quixotic battles, and then usually crawls home drunk and beaten.

Rather than manipulate the audience's sympathies or try to come up with a pat, satisfying ending that provides a moral and an uplift, author Bukowski and director Schroder make Rourke's poet neither wholly tragic nor wholly heroic, neither genuinely likeable nor genuinely despicable. That's perhaps the best element of the film, because like much of Bukowski's work, it tries to paint an unvarnished picture of a human being, warts and all, without seeking to condemn or redeem. Like a good poem, the poet just *is*, and it is up to the reader/viewer to come to their own conclusions.

Rourke was not Bukowski's first choice. Afterall, Rourke is an East Coast type, but he managed to fit himself to the role in fine gusto, taking on the persona of Bukowski in his early years in LA. Bukowski considered Faye Dunaway one of the last big-time Hollywood actresses, and speaks of her affectionately throughout his book. Bukowski didn't know what to make of Schroeder, who seemed to be singularly obsessed with Bukowski's life and times, to the point of trying to live it to capture the full essence of LA's skid row. Bukowski himself was enjoying a measure of success by this point, driving a BMW, an enjoying the finer things in life.

The film moves along at a brisk pace, bringing together a motley assortment of characters with Rourke playing his role to the hilt. Dunaway is first class as his punch drunk love. This is Rourke at his smarmiest best, take him or leave him, as one would Bukowski, who isn't everyone's bottle of muscatel.

Love it or hate it

Personally, I started out disliking it for all the reasons that others have said it is not worth seeing. Then about 1/4 of the way through, I got what the writer, actors and director were doing. I saw the irony, the undercurrents of social and personal satire, and the downright humor in it. I started laughing and enjoying myself, and I didn't stop laughing for the rest of the film.

The degree of subtilty is greater than we are accustomed to in a Hollywood film, so alot of people not only don't get it but don't know there is anything to get because they are not expecting anything this subtle. The Director, Barbet Schroeder, cut his teeth working with director Eric Rohmer, who is as slow and subtle as they come. The now common phrase, "Watching paint dry," was unfairly coined by an unappreciative viewer to discribe his films. Schroeder is no where near as slow as Rohmer, but he seems to have learned how to build up elements of plot and character that open new dimensions in the film and suprise the attentive viewer in very pleasing ways.

This is certainly true of Barfly. Aside from being funny it is also deep. If are looking for an action flic or light comedy, this is not for you. If you are looking for something to glance at while you are cooking dinner then this is the wrong movie. If you have the time and inclination to pay attention or you will be disappointed with it. It is not for everyone. Some people view film as only good for recreation and that is fine. But if you want to take the time to understand the subtly and humor of the film, you will probably enjoy it - a lot.