Barfly

I like Bukowski's poetics, I like the lifestyle of the layabout and so I have almost all words of praise for Barfly. The actors representing the social underbelly are well chosen, and so in my opinion the only weakness is the one that should have been the biggest trump card, I can't help but think Mickey Rourke overacts a lot. Still, you have to like his character of a barroom lout who imposes almost noble, aristocratic elements on his loafing. But Faye Dunaway, what a great surprise! She’s flawless. Not only is she a good actress, but she somehow shines through without pounds of make-up and you can see that she is still a beautiful woman despite her age. But you know what? Sod this bollocks! Let’s go for a drink. (24/08/2003)

Barfly is definitely not a film for me. I'm more interested in Charles Bukowski in book form, but when it comes to watching it on screen, I don't particularly feel like it's something I want to do. Mickey Rourke clearly enjoys the role and is great next to Faye. Not so in her case, but Mickey excels here. (28/06/2016)