Barfly

1 9 8 7 (USA)

An autobiographical account of Henry Chinaski - a booze-soaked poet-writer (Charles Bukowski wrote the screenplay based on his experiences) with Mickey Rourke in the title role. 

This film is no "Lost Weekend" saga; Rourke's messy character seems buoyant and even satisfied with his grungy life-style, but the squalid atmosphere and Rourke's whiny delivery of his lines become irritating.

Nearly 100 minutes of drinking, screaming, fighting and more drinking weave a sporadic fascination. Occasional, refreshing blasts of black comedy fail to relieve an overall, un-redeeming ugliness tinged uncomfortably with a screwball sort of sentimentality.

Fay Dunaway co-stars as Wanda, the drunk's lover and comrade in alcohol abuse.