Barfly

Barfly is a 1987 American drama-comedy film directed by Barbet Schroeder and starring Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, and Alice Krige. The movie draws inspiration from the experience and writings of Charles Bukowski, a notorious author known for chronicling the unseen and unglamorous sides of life. Exquisitely rendered through its actors and director, Barfly serves as an engrossing cinematic exploration of lifestyle choices, love, and personal freedom.

In a performance that exudes raw charm and magnetism, Rourke steps into the shoes of Henry Chinaski, a semi-autobiographical character inspired by Bukowski himself. Chinaski is depicted as a down-and-out, heavy-drinking, budding writer in Los Angeles, ascribing to a bohemian lifestyle devoid of mainstream societal norms. With an unshaven face, battered clothing, and a seemingly permanent hangover, Chinaski fits the part of a barfly, a creature of the tavern, subsisting on the fringes, yet brimming with philosophical insight and sardonic wit.

Throughout the film, Chinaski haunts a squalid bar in Los Angeles, engaging in bar fights, consuming endless shots of alcohol, and waxing poetic about the harsh realities of life. His life seems directionless and bleak until he meets Wanda, a fellow drunkard with a fragile heart played captivatingly by Dunaway. The relationship that spawns between Chinaski and Wanda oscillates between camaraderie, romance, and co-dependency. Their shared refuge at the bottom of a whiskey bottle binds them together throughout the tumultuous phases of their relationship.

On the other side of the socio-economic spectrum stands Tully, a sophisticated, well-to-do literary editor, portrayed by Alice Krige. After discovering a crude yet surprisingly introspective short story by Chinaski in a magazine, Tully finds herself drawn to his unorthodox world. This gives rise to a love triangle that intricately explores class divisions and the myriad complexities within human relationships.

The gritty authenticity that Barfly achieves can largely be attributed to Schroeder’s directing prowess. He plunges viewers deep into a universe populated by barflies - showcasing the gritty underbelly of society, untouched by glamour or pretention. The film is a parade of dismal hotels, weather-beaten bars, and shadowy cityscapes painted in tones of squalor and desolation. Amidst this backdrop, the principle characters navigate their existence, exhibiting a peculiar type of existential resilience.

Rourke's mesmerising performance is undeniably the pillar of the film. He immerses himself completely into the character of Chinaski, channeling his wit, profound poetic sentiments, and a strong instinct for survival with exceptional nuance. Dunaway's depiction of Wanda is equally compelling, crafting a character that oscillates between strength and destitution, embodying the quintessence of a tragic heroine. Meanwhile, Krige's portrayal of Tully serves as a stark contrast, infusing a sense of refinement and complexity into an intricate love triangle.

One of the defining aspects of Barfly is its exploration of the ebb and flow of human relationships. How they endure hardship, continuously shaped and reshaped through shared moments and bitter conflicts. The film is also unflinching in its exploration of society's disregard and disdain for those on the marginalized spectrum, specifically those choosing lifestyles divorced from conventional norms.

Through a poignant script and compelling performances, Barfly successfully dismantles romanticized notions of alcoholism and struggle, presenting an unbiased view into the lives of its characters. The film remains devoid of judgment, neither vilifying nor valorizing its characters and their choices. Instead, it allows for a respectable and genuine testament to their humanity.

This brutally honest approach is complemented by an underlying thread of dark humor that lightens the narrative, allowing a necessary breather from the drama's intensity. Viewers are captivated by the remarkable dialogue, filled with the biting observational humor and trenchant cynicism that Bukowski himself was celebrated for.

Barfly, for all its audacious realism, is a piece of cinema that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It creates a world stripped of pretense and polish, where characters, down on their luck, leave indelible impressions through their authenticity. It is a movie that dares to chart the treacherous waters of the human psyche, giving viewers a raw, uncompromising glimpse into the lives of society's outcasts. With Boukowski's characteristic blend of relentless sincerity and morbid humor, this movie impresses viewers with its exceptional performances, unique storytelling, and riveting exploration of the human condition.