Barfly (DVD, 2002, Widescreen)

I first saw this film when it was on rotation on one of the movie channels (back when I still watched TV) and it caught my interest. I finally rented the VHS of it and watched it several times and seem to like it more every time I watch it.

This is a WELL MADE movie with topnotch actors and acting and a GREAT script -- and yet it is very unlike "the same old same old" Hollywood movie. I read that Rourke didn't bathe for at least a month before acting in the film, and I believe it. It was so realistic. What surprised me the most was that I could enjoy watching such skid row type bums -- and I mean REALLY enjoy it.

I loved the sense of humor of the character that Rourke played. I have read that the author Bukowski who actually wrote the screenplay (and this was indeed based on his own life) did not like the film. I think you should also remember that most people freak out when they hear their own voice for the first time too and don't like it. I've no doubt that I liked or loved Rourke's portrayal of Bukowski's ego and alter ego at least as much as I would have liked or loved Bukowski himself but probably more. In this case I believe the ART no doubt exceeded the reality.

This is a film for people who are not afraid to watch the people living on the wrong side of the tracks. If you are one of those people who freaks when you run out of blue dye for your toilet and air freshener when people smoke or who would rather breathe in toxic fumes than ever see a cockroach, this movie may NOT be for you. But I hate to have you assume that. After all it's just a movie and you can stay squeaky clean and conservative as you like while watching it.

I enjoyed the character's interactions with himself, with is own life, with his writing, with the woman he met and bedded, with the young well-to-do woman that seduced him and loved him for his literary talent, with his relationship to the other men and women in the bar he frequented, his relationship to money and society and other people's expectations of him. EXCELLENT film. I used to have my own VHS copy but no longer and now I see the film is being sold for collector's prices because when it was re-released on DVD in 2002 the company made WAY too few copies. If you would like to sign a petition asking the company to release the film on DVD AGAIN so that "common folk" can afford it, please visit this web page: www.petitiononline.com/a8d8f877/petition.html (or Goggle "barfly dvd petition"). Highly Recommended!