review for Barfly on AllMovie

Barbet Schroeder's romanticized portrait of self-mythologizing writer and drunk Charles Bukowski skillfully draws one into the world of these damaged characters. What little story there is concerns the writer's (Mickey Rourke) daily ritual of massive alcohol intake, fighting, and writing. With the appearance of Faye Dunaway a fellow lush, the possibility of romance glimmers on the horizon. A labor of love for Schroeder, who cajoled Bukowski for years to finish the script, it captures the writer's matted hair, filthy clothes, bloodied features, and perennial alcoholic stupor with loving care. He's as happy as a king in his castle. In Dunaway, he finds his ideal mate, one who likes to drink and talk all day, and head home with him at night. The self- awareness of these two sharp characters gives their scenes a tragic-comic edge, and their relationship is the best part of the film. When you hear the word "sordid", the name Mickey Rourke spring to mind, and he perfectly nails the character's grandiose self-abasement. Dunaway is superb as well, with the bizarre catfight scene conjuring memories of Mommie Dearest (1981). The photography of the gifted Robby Muller transforms the dive these characters inhabit into a place of ugly beauty.