Barfly [DVD] [1987]

It was in a foreign language without subtitles ?

As Amazon's highly irritating habit of merging reviews for different formats/editions of the same title together continues, here's a review of the imported edition of 'Barfly' on bluray - the edition that has a bright blue rectangle with a white M on the bottom left of its' cover if you're checking the pics here. I'm not sure what country it originates from, but what we have here is a disc that plays on UK bluray players that are not enabled for region free, so the disc must be region-free.I first saw 'Barfly' when it came out in the late eighties and wasn't massively impressed. Although it was screenwritten by Charles Bukowski himself - it clearly draws on scenes and characters from a number of his stories/novels - I didn't feel it captured the gritty, dingy seediness of the man's writing. The mis-en-scene seemed too light, leading man Micky Rourke too young and Faye Dunaway too glamourous. My feelings on these points haven't changed too much, but viewing the film again after such a long time, I feel more favourable toward it now as I'll explain.Rourke is clearly depicting the younger Henry Chinaski here - a little older than he is in 'Factotum' but not as mature s he is in 'Post Office' perhaps. This is a more fictional Chinaski than the one in the novels though - a composite rather than a translation from the fiction. Despite his irritating delivery - drawing out words in a drawl that lengthens them artificially, Rourke is charming and funny as Chinaski. This is an affectionate rather than a tough, bleak portrayal. 'Barfly' is a funny, light, tender movie rather than a hard, desperate one. Despite the fact that there are two other Bukowski movies, none of them match the authenticity of the books.Dunaway is great, but the fact remains that she is way too glamourous for the role of Wanda - plus she's a thin woman, not a curvy type, so she doesn't fit the bill. She's not bad though, being a fine actress. The supporting cast of barflies are, however, much better, but again, more often than not don't ring true as authentically beat as they should be.The picture quality is good but not spectacular. The film certainly looks a lot better than the old VHS editions, but will not impress anyone used to top quality transfers of contemporary features though. But the serious Bukowski fan will cope - the man himself is present in two shots in one scene, sitting at a bar, presenting that magnificent, craggy face. Some 8 minutes and 30 seconds or so in, the image pixillated badly for a couple of seconds, but this may be due to damage or soiling caused by the fact that when I received the bluray it was rattling around in its case as it had come free of the spindle. I've not rewatched it since giving it a clean, so I can't tell you at this stage if this is an inherent flaw.Overall, if you've forgotten this film, not seen it for years or are a younger Chuck fan and never caqught 'Barfly', I'd recommend you view this disc. Arguably, the Matt Dillon Bukowski film is better, but Rourke does more closely resemble Chinaski/Bukowski physically (and as I say, Chuck wrote it). However, all of the Bukowski movies are easily eclipsed by the sublime 'Trees Lounge' directed by Steve Buscemi, which is more like Bukowski's work than any of the films based more directly on his life and work.Finally, if you wanted a review of the film and know nothing of Bukowski, well, sorry, but I can't help you...

Good at last to get hold of Barfly which has proved difficult to track down on DVD. This one is an import copy but no worries as the film plays fine in English. The cover is a little deceptive as seems to suggest a steamy love affair like nine and a half weeks which Rourke also starred in. But those who love the film know it better as the loose biographical account of writer Charles Bukowski's life as both drunken street-philosopher and aspiring writer. Scripted by Bukowski (with a very small cameo sitting at a bar) the film builds on the myth of Buk/Chinaski as a hard-drinking layabout who just happens to get into print, soon to become a cult within the underground literary scene.It probably helps to know something about Bukowski to get on with the film's gritty outlook. This is not typical Hollywood as it portrays the seedy, underbelly of American/Capitalist life. The redeeming factor is the cruel humour that runs through the film despite the poverty, the seeming hopelessness and the occasional violence. This is what Buk saw as being the truth of human life, the kind he translated into his poems and stories, and the film does manage to capture the flavour of his work.Barfly is perhaps best described as an arthouse film that stands up well to repeated plays. Rourke's portrayal of Bukowski is somewhat grotesque and overdone (Buk in real life looked after his appearance and wasn't as scruffy as Rourke's character). What carries the film along is the scathing observations of modern life that Bukowski is famed for. Funny and sad, but never obvious.

one of the best films i have ever seen. this is a must have for any lover of good acting and good ideas. written by Charles Bukowski, dubbed the 'poet laureat of the slums,' it is a tale of a man, Henry Chinasky, who like Bukowsky spends his life either being drunk, writing, or both. fights take place, promiscuity is rife, and yet one cannot help but note the almost raw beauty inherent in this life-style. The message i feel the film is really trying to give is that it doesn't matter what your social standing is, since all happiness is essentially comparative. Further, Henry Chinasky is poignant in saying 'in this world, everybody has to BE something...' and he rebels against this standard, the most you could ever call him was a drunk. But he was proud of it.

Excellent service Good Value

The film is fine. What is irritating is that there is no way of getting rid of the subtitles which are in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish. They distract and especially to me as I can more or less read Scandiwegian. There is no indication in the product description that you have to have the subtitles on all the time. it seems to me to be a minimum to allow the viewer to turn the subtitles off.

The version I purchased was the one with the purple/pinkish border with a sort of off black and white picture of Mickey Rourke. I love this movie, I don't know why exactly but I just do. Everyone in it is great and this blu-ray is the best this film has ever looked and sounded. It's not reference quality by any means but still good for this type of film.

The cops have accepted my apology and gone away. I've decided to lay low for a bit. What better way to do it than this, the best boozing film ever. This was Mickey Rourke when he was truely angry. A man who hated Hollywood playing Charles Bukowski the ultimate wino writer and fighter. Forget the corny tripe that was The Wrestler, this is the best film you will ever see. TO ALL MY FRIEEEEENDS.....YEAHHHH....!