Picture 1 of 3
Stock photo
Picture 1 of 3
Stock photo
Barfly (DVD, 2002, Widescreen)
Price:
C $83.99
Approximately£48.14
+ C $15.60 postage
Returns:
Condition:
 | Shop by category |
{"delay":300}
|
Henry and Wanda are two barflies living on the skids. The two of them form a quirky romance. Ultimately, Henry has to decide if he will take the high life over the low life when a sexy editor shows up to buy one of his stories. I forgot what great dialogue this movie has. Usually stories about career drunks are depressing, but Barfly is definitely a comedy. Henry (Mickey Rourke) and Wanda (Faye Dunaway) complement each other perfectly and lend their own brand of situational humor to the mix. Other characters, such as the older "lady of the night" and the disgruntled lady who makes bitter comments at the end of the bar, support the cast and add to the laughs. This story is somewhat based on the life of poet Charles Bukowski. Henry's character is sloppy, battered and gross, yet somehow his well-meaning heart and quick wit makes him endearing. Wanda's character at first glance appears to be upper class, Henry calls her a "distressed Goddess", but basically she is living off funding from some guy she talks to on the phone and doesn't appear to have any sort of a career. Anyway, it's easy to see that Henry really loves Wanda and is not thwarted by the temptations offered by Tully, a young female editor who becomes intrigued with him. This is some brilliant writing. I'm glad that this movie decided to view this segment of life in a comical manner. While movies like "Drunks" and "Clean and Sober" are good movies, sometimes you are just in the mood for something a little bit lighter.Read full review
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!Read full review
I love Bukowski and Rourke! This movie uses one's writing and the other's acting perfectly! Excellent film!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE FOR ANY PERSON WHO APRECIATES CHARLES BUKOWSKI. MICKY ROURKE'S PERFORMANCE IS STUNNING...YOU FORGET WHO HE IS AND ARE ABSORBED RIGHT INTO THE CHARACTER AS IS HE. START TO FINISH A SLICE OF REALITY IN THE UNDEBELLY BARFLY L.A. WORLD THAT TRULY EXISTS. I HAVE RAISED MANY A GLASS TO THIS MOVIE WITH ALL MY FRIENDS. MAYBE I HAVE SEEN IT TOO MANY TIMES BUT IT IS INTERGRATED INTO MY VIEW OF LIFE, AND THE HARD TIME I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN THRU...EASILY RELATED TO. I SIMPLY LOVE IT...DOZENS OF PHILOSOPHICAL ONE LINERS SUITABLE FOR EVERY DAY USE.
I watched Barfly when it was released around 1987. It's one of the most well put together movies ever made. A person needs the intelligence to absorb or 'live' the movie while watching to really understand how deep it is, otherwise it might seem simple or B class. The cast is Stellar, the acting is top notch, the story is one of a kind as movies go, uncommon as life goes .
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-rays
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
