Barfly (film)

Barfly is a 1987 American drama film directed by Barbet Schroeder and starring Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway. It is a semi-autobiographical story written by Charles Bukowski about his life as a heavy drinker and struggling writer. The film depicts Henry Chinaski (Rourke), Bukowski's literary alter ego, as he navigates the Los Angeles bar scene, encountering fellow alcoholics, engaging in brawls, and sporadically attempting to write.

The plot follows Chinaski's daily life, which consists primarily of drinking, sleeping, and occasional encounters with women. He meets Wanda Wilcox (Dunaway), a wealthy but equally alcoholic woman, and they form a dysfunctional relationship based on shared addiction and a rejection of conventional society. A magazine editor, Tully Sorenson, offers Chinaski a writing opportunity, presenting him with a potential escape from his self-destructive lifestyle. However, Chinaski's commitment to his habits and his fear of success complicate his ability to seize the opportunity.

Barfly is known for its gritty realism, its unflinching portrayal of alcoholism, and the performances of Rourke and Dunaway. The film received generally positive reviews and is considered one of the most significant cinematic adaptations of Bukowski's work. It explores themes of addiction, poverty, artistic struggle, and the complexities of human relationships within marginalized communities. The film's soundtrack features jazz and blues music, further enhancing its atmosphere of urban decay and disillusionment.