Search - Barfly on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Substance Abuse Movie Release: 1987 DVD Release: 09/03/2002 Format: DVD - Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Japanese, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 57 Genres: Drama, Romantic Drama, Addiction Drama See Also: Barfly

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 unfaithful for the price of a drink. Rourke has a chance to clean up his act when offered a large commission for his writings by publisher Alice Krige. They too end up in bed, each trying to change the other. The clarion call of the cheap wine bottle overrides Rourke's half-hearted efforts to enter the mainstream. Watch for author Charles Bukowski, as well as Fritz "Pop!" Feld and Vance Colvig (who's made a career out of playing street people) in Barfly bit parts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mickey Rourke - Henry Chinaski
Faye Dunaway - Willa Wilcox
Alice Krige - Tully Sorenson
Jack Nance - Detective
J.C. Quinn - Jim

Mickey Rourke stars with Faye Dunaway in the drama Barfly. The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and looks very good, save for a small amount of edge enhancement and dirt in the image. Otherwise, Warner has done a fine job at making sure the colors and black levels are all clear and bright. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono and suits the film well. While directional effects and Surround sounds are absent, overall the mix features crystal-clear dialogue, effects, and music. Also included on this disc are English, Spanish, French, and Japanese subtitles. A few extra features have been included on this disc, starting with a commentary track by director Barbet Schroeder. While the director has a thick accent, the track is still clearly filled with stories and information about the production and casting. The 12-minute featurette "I Drink, I Gamble and I Write: The Making of Barfly" is a fluffy and rough promotional piece sporting interviews with the cast and crew. "Excerpts From Barbet Schroeder's The Charles Bukowski Tapes" is an exceptional feature that includes interviews with the author by the director. Finally there is a theatrical trailer for the film, as well as a credit list for the principle cast and crew members. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide