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 lifestyle, 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.
Faye Dunaway co-stars as Wanda, the drunk’s crazy lover and comrade in alcohol abuse.
Henry Chinaski
Mickey Rourke Wanda Wilcox
Faye Dunaway Tully Sorenson
Alice Krige Detective
Jack Nance Jim
J C Quinn Eddie
Frank Stallone Janice
Sandy Martin Lilly
Roberta Bassin Grandma Moses
Gloria LeRoy Ben
Joe Unger
Director
Barbet Schroeder
Video
Related Posts
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) Eddie Murphy is back in this sequel to the hit 1984 action comedy and the set pieces are even more spectacular…
Black Godfather, The (1974) Writer/producer/director John Evans tries for some substance rather than mere violence in the Blaxploitation genre, and it's an admirable attempt…
Blues Brothers, The (1980) Universal were so confident in The Blues Brothers that they poured a record $27 million into the movie. One scene alone called for…
Boatniks, The (1970) It was hi-jinks at the harbour in this 1970 Disney comedy/crime flick, a sort of Gilligan's Island meets The Pink Panther. Robert Morse filled…
Bonnie & Clyde (1967) Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow (Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty) are presented as social drop-outs, alienated from a decayed society.…
Bus Stop (1956) This was the film that proved Marilyn Monroe was a considerable screen actress, and capable of much, much more than…
Buffalo '66 (1998) Vincent Gallo is nothing if not indulgent, a quality that’s earned him both a legion of detractors and a fervent…
