Product Reviews
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, Rovi
Product Notes
PAL/Region 0. Until recently, when The Wrestler took the world by storm, Bafly was considered Mickey Rourke's most passionate and gritty performance.This dark tale of drunkenness, violence and self loathing refects his brooding persona perfectly. Add to this the fact that his character is a phenomenally talented but self destructive artist and you'd swear the role had written for him. Barlfy is the fictionalised autobiography by cult writer and underground hero, Charles Bukowski and is an unflinching portrayal of life one step up from the gutter. Rourke's performance as a self hating, mean spirited anti-hero is darl and brutal but retains a kind of selfish, desperate beauty, especially in respect to the doomed relationship that develops between him and a fellow lost a soul. Film nerds a Bukowski buffs are very excited that this long deleted and much sought after classic is coming available again. Finally, Mickey Rourke's legion old fans can reminded and his new fans can discover what the world seems to have forgotten, that he was always this good.
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8 March 2011 |
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Mgm |
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97 |
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0 : Region-Free |
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1.77:1 (Alternate Wide Screen), Color, Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV, PAL |
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Dolby Digital Stereo, English |
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Discs:1 ~ Format:Pal ~ Region:0 ~ Country:Australia |
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View Cast For Barfly (1987) |
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Casting:Pat Orseth, Casting:Robert MacDonald, Cinematographer:Robby M ller, Composer (Music Score):Jack Baran, Director:Barbet Schroeder, Executive Producer:Menahem Golan, Executive Producer:Yoram Globus, Producer:Barbet Schroeder, Producer:Fred Roos, Producer:Tom Luddy, Screenwriter:Charles Bukowski |
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