Barfly – Review

Poet/writer Charles Bukowski indulges his own life experience via penning the subject screenplay for this film. Our film opens behind a small dive bar, The Golden Horn, a friendly place. The alleyway is where the crowds are, as sloppy Henry Chenasky (Rourke) talks shit to his opponent and bartender Eddie (Stallone) in a fist fight. Henry bleeds from his mouth while delivering a few strikes, before getting pushed back and knocked out by his opponent.

Henry makes it to the next day still alive and goes back to what he does best: drinking and offending bar patrons. Thankfully he lives in an apartment above one of his favorite bars, so he can simply stumble upstairs when necessary. Time to listen to music and scribble down some poetry in rundown room 26.

As a detective (Nance) settles into a room next door, Henry showers and goes back to drinking. A glorious life. Drunk by noon daily and with nothing to his name, what can get better than this? Hitting up another local haunt, Henry finds the private investigator and more alcohol. Eddie happens to be on shift there, so more shit talking ensues between the brawlers. The PI makes a call to an unknown party, as Henry is “definitely him.” Plots are forming. That’s about that.

As Henry continues to act like a drunken jackass and get into yet another fight, it’s hard to know how he hasn’t been killed yet. This disreputable character makers one wonder how people like this exist for too long on this planet, but it is a realistic take on humanity.

The characters in Barfly may not be likeable, but it remains a solid study of behavior. Henry doesn’t seem to care for money or regular mechanics of societal conformity. As he meets Wanda (Dunaway), the two create a tornado of chaos with each other. Destructive behavior is just part of existence at this point.

Barfly is very well acted and feels like a genuine descent into darkness. When alcohol is life, choices are limited and restrictions set in, yet some see this life as romantic when comparing it to the rat race. Especially if they consider themselves a tortured soul poet… Rourke sinks into the role and delivers the dialogue with a memorable cadence, while Dunaway brings her usual A-game. Both deliver great performances, and anchor the film.

Plenty of viewers won’t find much to enjoy with this one based on its subject matter and repeated character frustrations, but drama seekers may be appeased. If that sounds like you, give it a shot. I avoid plenty of dramas, but this one had the right elements to give it a whirl and I am glad I did however I won’t go back for repeat watching often.

"I’d hate to be you, if I were me."