The cinematic paradox of an author who hated his own movie
In short: Charles Bukowski’s 1987 film Barfly is a visceral portrait of addiction and class warfare. Yet, the man who lived the life it depicts held a complicated, shifting opinion on its lead actor—moving from high praise to harsh criticism in just over a decade.
The film serves as a semi-autobiographical exploration of Bukowski’s own heavy drinking years in Los Angeles. It centers on Henry Chinaski, a destitute poet and alcoholic who navigates the grime of 'The Golden Horn' bar. The project was born from a unique collaboration: Bukowski wrote the screenplay for director Barbet Schroeder, who had previously filmed the author for French television. Despite Bukowski’s involvement, he famously refused to let Dennis Hopper direct the piece, viewing the actor as a Hollywood phony.
The production featured several distinct creative choices that blurred the line between fiction and reality. For instance, the apartment building where the character Wanda lives was actually the residence of Bukowski and his real-life partner, Jane Cooney Baker—a fact unknown to the crew until Bukowski recalled it during filming. Additionally, some elements were purely stylistic; a famous 'glamour shot' of Faye Dunaway’s legs was added at her personal request, despite not being in the original script.
The most striking nuance lies in Bukowski’s evolving perspective on Mickey Rourke’s performance. In 1987, shortly after the film's release, Bukowski praised Rourke for adding a 'zest' and 'madness' to Chinaski without destroying the character's intent. However, by 2003, in the documentary Born into This, he pivoted significantly, claiming Rourke had exaggerated the role and was being a 'showoff.'
This internal conflict highlights the difficulty of translating raw, gritty autobiography into commercial cinema. While critics described the film as both riveting and stomach-churning, Bukowski’s shifting stance reflects the tension between an artist's private truth and the public performance of that truth on screen.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Barfly (film)
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