Ever wonder what it would be like to scuffle around, a kiss away from death on skid row in Los Angeles? Screenwriter Charles Bukowski and director Barbet Schroeder venture into this scary territory in Barfly. Henry (Mickey Rourke) is an independent soul who loves to drink and write in equal measure. His life takes an emotional swerve when he begins an affair with Wanda (Faye Dunaway), a self-destructive boozer who comes across as a fallen angel. Barfly captures the gritty realities of lives given over to the excesses of substances in a true-to-life way. The musical score for Barfly supports this film perfectly as well; with a Hammond organ whirling out Booker T. Jones' Hip Hug Her as you P.O.V. your way through the film's first scene, past the bar sign, to the bar's door, and into the world of Henry Chinaski. This is all counter-pointed wonderfully by the use of Mozart and Beethoven under Rourke's voice-overs of Chinaski's writing. Rourke shines in the lead role as someone who isn't necessarily sinking desperately into alcoholism, but rather positively embracing it and wallowing in dipsomania.
Jesse Gumbarge is editor and chief blogger at JarvisCity.com - He loves old-school horror films and starting pointless debates. You can reach out at: JesseGumbarge@JarvisCity.com
