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Barfly (1987)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 18
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 6,958

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Movie Info

Charles Bukowski, the talented crown prince of self-abuse, wrote the short stories upon which the surprisingly entertaining Barfly was based. The film concentrates on alcoholic writer Mickey Rourke (the Bukowski alter ego) who carries on a hate-hate relationship with bartender Frank Stallone. Rourke makes the acquaintance of another of society's castaways, Faye Dunaway, who in addition to being a souse is said to be crazy. They move in together, even though Dunaway all but promises to be

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Barbet Schroeder

Written By: Charles Bukowski

In Theaters: Oct 16, 1987 Wide

On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Cannon Releasing

Barfly Trailer & Photos

Cast

Mickey Rourke
Henry Chinaski
Faye Dunaway
Willa Wilcox
Alice Krige
Tully Sorenson
Jack Nance
Detective
J.C. Quinn
Jim
Frank Stallone
Eddie
Wil Albert
Carl
Roberta Bassin
Lily
Carlos Cervantes
Cop
Rik Colitti
Jack The Window Washer
Vance Colvig
Alcoholic Man
Fritz Feld
Bum
Albert Henderson
Louie
Damon Hines
Black Kid
Ronald G. Joseph
Liquor Store Clerk
Gloria Le Roy
Grandma Moses
Sandy Martin
Janice
Donald L. Norden
Man in alley
Julie "Sunny" Pearson
Hooker in Bar
Stacey Pickren
Lady Manager
Joe Rice
Old Man in Bar
Debbie Lynn Ross
Lovebird Woman
George Marshall Ruge
Lovebird Man
Hal Shafer
Mike
Pearl Shear
Helen
Leonard Termo
Harry
Joe Unger
Ben
Pruitt Taylor Vince
Joe
Michael Collins
"Elbow Inn" Bartender
Zeke Manners
Roger
Sandy Rose
Louie's Woman
Peter Conti
Cop
Lahmard J. Tate
Black Kid
Harry Cohn
Rick

Critic Reviews for Barfly

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (4) | DVD (9)

The first four letters say it all.

March 23, 2010 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comments (2)

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

As I write about Barfly, I do seem to be talking myself into greater admiration for it, or at least into a sense of welcome design beneath its superficial inertia.

January 13, 2012 Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks

| Comment

Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

Charles Bukowski's semi-autobiographical short story-cum-screenplay is rich fodder for filmmaker Schroeder, who squeezes all the available juice out of it in a sensitively directed film

June 5, 2009 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile

| Comment

Andrew L. Urban

Urban Cinefile

A lowlife seriocomedy.

July 20, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

An audacious movie about skid-row existentialism.

August 27, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Captures Bukowski well.

January 5, 2004 Comment

Mark Robison

Reno Gazette-Journal Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

Rourke and Dunaway are dynamite

April 27, 2003 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Barfly

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Usually when you see two people in as rough a shape as Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway look on the poster you don't expect a hell of a lot of entertainment out of that movie. Just honest misery. Fortunately, the late Charles Bukowski wrote Barfly and its entertaining as all hell. Rourke appropriately seems to play a

July 3, 2008

Michael Gildea

Super Reviewer

A brilliant film with what I believe to be Mickey Roarke's finest piece of work as an actor. The film was written by poet-author Charles Bukowski, and Roarke's character is based on Bukowski himself. Henry(Roarke) spends most of his time at the bar, getting into the occasional fistfight with the bartender Eddie which

November 21, 2009

Eric S

Super Reviewer

Barfly Quotes

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1. Henry Chinaski: It takes a special talent to be a drunk. It takes endurance.
– Submitted by Kara K (11 months ago)

Submit a Quote from 'Barfly'

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Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try.
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