Based on the life of successful poet Charles Bukowski and his exploits in Hollywood during the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Director:
Barbet SchroederWriter:
Charles Bukowski
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Title: Barfly (1987)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Mickey Rourke | ... | Henry | |
| Faye Dunaway | ... | Wanda Wilcox | |
| Alice Krige | ... | Tully | |
| Jack Nance | ... | Detective | |
| J.C. Quinn | ... | Jim | |
| Frank Stallone | ... | Eddie | |
| Sandy Martin | ... | Janice | |
| Roberta Bassin | ... | Lilly | |
 |
Gloria LeRoy | ... | Grandma Moses |
| Joe Unger | ... | Ben | |
|
|
Harry Cohn | ... | Rick |
| Pruitt Taylor Vince | ... | Joe | |
|
|
Joe Rice | ... | Old Man in Bar |
|
|
Julie 'Sunny' Pearson | ... | Hooker in Bar |
|
|
Donald L. Norden | ... | Man in Alley |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Henry Chinaski never cared for the American dream, the thought of needing to become 'something' and fit into the system disgusts him. He believes that life is free and yours to live like you see fit, and if that in some cases involves copious amounts of whiskey then so be it. Henry spends his days drinking and listening to the radio, and he spends his nights drinking and fighting against Eddy who he thinks personifies shallowness and shameless self promoting. Sometimes in the middle of this he finds the time to jot down a few lines of poetry or a short story. After fighting Eddy and winning for a change Henry is thrown out of his regular bar where Eddy is a bartender. This leads him to seek another watering hole where he happens to find Wanda who is a barfly, in her own words "if another man came along with a fifth of whiskey, I'd go with him". Henry is not fazed by this thou and moves in with her. Of course Wanda immediately goes off and sleeps with Eddy, but after some clothes ... Written by Erik Wallen <erik.wallen@bluetie.com>
Taglines:
Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 October 1987 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Szenen eines wüsten Lebens See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$3,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$45,900, 18 October 1987, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$3,221,568Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (TVC)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Tully: Hey, Tully baby, nobody who could write worth a damn could ever write in peace, Jesus.
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written by Ludwig van Beethoven
courtesy of Supraphon Records, Prague
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The movie's "screenplay [was] commissioned in 1979" according to the Turner Classic Movies website. This was around eight years prior to the picture being made and released. See more »Goofs
When Henry gets out of bed, Tully has terrible bedhead as their conversation starts. When it cuts back to her a second later, her hair has been neatly brushed. See more »Quotes
Henry: You know, in the guest house, you could write in peace.Tully: Hey, Tully baby, nobody who could write worth a damn could ever write in peace, Jesus.
See more »
Soundtracks
Trio in B Flat, Op. 97 (The Archduke)written by Ludwig van Beethoven
courtesy of Supraphon Records, Prague
See more »
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Tender and surprisingly straight to the heart romantic-comedy that features Mickey Rourke (in one of his best roles) as Henry, a partially hump-backed middle-aged man is proud to be a part-time poet and full-time drunk who finds himself in a short-time, drawn to a fellow alcoholic, Wanda (Faye Dunaway) and a civilized publisher, Tully (Alice Krige).
Director Barbet Schroeder patiencely takes the movie, which is based on the work and maybe, life of not-so-sober poet Charles Bukowski, and transforms it into a meaningful movie. Even the bar where Henry normally hangs out at, "The Golden Horn", has the same dreary, smoke-filled atmosphere that you'd find at any tavern, bar, or pub. A fitting tribute to anyone who goes to any bar.
That part of the movie that works wonders is the camera work of Robby Muller ("To Live and Die in L.A.", "Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai"), that captures the typical scene in a bar. You don't have to look too close to see the conversations and arguements.
"Barfly" is a different movie and it's worth watching on a rainy day or on the weekend.