Poster for Bukowski: Born Into This

Bukowski: Born Into This

2003, Documentary, 2h 10m

50 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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critics consensus

A thoroughly engrossing documentary examining the life of talented but troubled writer Charles Bukowski. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

This documentary chronicles the writer Charles Bukowski, who is as well known for his drinking binges as for his poetry and prose. Using interviews with Bukowski and other footage, filmmaker John Dullaghan tells the story of a man who struggles to make a living while he writes from the heart. Then, after editor John Martin of Black Sparrow Press discovers Bukowski, his work becomes much more widely read. The film also includes comments from famous fans Bono, Sean Penn and Harry Dean Stanton.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Sexual Content/Nudity)
  • Genre:
    Documentary
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Dullaghan
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $311.4K
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Magnolia Films

Cast & Crew

Bono
Bono
Self
John Bryan
John Bryan
Self
John Dullaghan
John Dullaghan
Director
Diane Markrow
Diane Markrow
Co-Producer
John McCormick
John McCormick
Co-Producer

Critic Reviews for Bukowski: Born Into This

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (8)
Full Review… Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Full Review… Jane Sumner Dallas Morning News Full Review… Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News Full Review… Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Full Review… John Hartl Seattle Times Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Full Review… Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… Matt McKillop Filmcritic.com Full Review… Duane Dudek Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for Bukowski: Born Into This

  • Jul 02, 2011
    If you love Bukowski you will love this. My love for the man dried up many moons ago. However, the documentary is exhausting in its research and archived footage and even when Bukowski is being a misogynistic, violent human the movie switches tones to suggest what is likely to be the cause of such behaviour. The best person interviewed? Tom Waits, of course.
    Jonny B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 11, 2010
    A heartfelt, interesting portrait of one of America's greatest writers. The presence of Bono felt completely out of place and even a bit intrusive, but aside from that I enjoyed everything about this film.
    Super Reviewer
  • Nov 09, 2007
    moving documentary on the mad poet bukowski who never compromised his work. a powerful portrait of a brave yet fragile man who some would call an asshole
    Stella D Super Reviewer
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