Barfly

Released 1987
Stars Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, Alice Krige, Jack Nance, J.C. Quinn, Frank Stallone, Gloria LeRoy
Directed by Barbet Schroeder

BARFLY, written by Charles Bukowski, is a semi-autobiographical account of Henry, a talented poet/writer that is content to spend all of his time drinking himself into oblivion. Henry (Mickey Rourke in an incredible performance) hangs out in a run down bar where no one likes him and he constantly picks fights (and loses) with the night bartender, played by Frank Stallone. After finally winning one of the brawls, Henry hooks up with Wanda (Faye Dunaway), another "Barfly" who has her own reasons for consuming too much alcohol. They develop a special bond, much like the relationship between Nicholas Cage and Elisabeth Shue in LEAVING LAS VEGAS. Two individuals who genuinely care for each other and accept each other for what they are.

Meanwhile, a rich literary agent is pursuing both Henry and his work. Through her he can change his life around if he so chooses. What the agent does not understand is the way he lives his life is the reason he can write such powerful words. Rourke's portrayal of a loser/genius who sees the world differently than most is a knockout.

Summary by Don Fergusson