Barfly (1987)

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writer:

Charles Bukowski (writer)

Release Date:

16 October 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.

Plot:

Henry Chinaski never cared for the American dream, the thought of needing to become 'something' and fit into the system disgusts him...

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Whiskey | Fight | Bartender | Radio

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Mickey Rourke	...	Henry Chinaski
Faye Dunaway	...	Wanda Wilcox
Alice Krige	...	Tully Sorenson
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

Runtime:

USA:97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (f) | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Bryson Hotel - 2701 Wilshire Boulevard, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Golan-Globus Productions

Trivia:

Charles Bukowski wanted Sean Penn to star as protagonist Henry Chinaski, but Penn insisted that Dennis Hopper direct the film. Bukowski had written the screenplay for Barbet Schroeder, who had filmed him for French TV years before, and would not surrender it to Hopper, whom he despised as gold-chain-wearing Hollywood phony. Bukowski and Penn became friends for the rest of his life.

Quotes:

Tully: Why did you send your stuff to us?
Henry: Well, I liked the title of the mag. It boggled my scrotum.
Tully: Why don't you stop drinking? Anybody can be a drunk.
Henry: Anybody can be a non-drunk. It takes a special talent to be a drunk. It takes endurance. Endurance is more important than truth.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I Drink, I Gamble and I Write: The Making of Barfly (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Exsultate, Jubilate, K166

Mickey Rourke at his finest!

Barfly is the delightfully gritty tale of a warrior poet (Rourke) disguised as a drunken idiot who lives in a roach motel and, you guessed it- a drunk who can never pay his bar tab. Mickey Rourke shines in the lead role and in my opinion deserved an Oscar for his brilliant performance. Faye Dunaway also gives a great performance as The Mick's love interest. Rourke creates a cult icon that will keep you in stitches and riveted for the duration of the film. You'll talk about this movie long after viewing it. "A drink for all my friends!" Rent Barfly ASAP you won't be disappointed!!