Barfly Details

Grow...Grow is for Plants!

Many of the bars featured in this film no longer exist in LA. Written by Bukowski and roughly autobiographical, Barfly has witty and stabbing dialogue. Both Rourke and Dunaway shine. Eddie, played by Sly Stallone's brother Frank, is perfect in his meathead role.

In homage to this masterpiece, my friends and I embarked on a Barfly bar tour. Natives of LA, we were disheartened to see that these bars were gone. To be sure, we found some good substitutes like The Escape Room. But watching this film is like a magical transport. Grab a bottle of bad scotch and drink up like Henry Chinaski when he first meets Dunaway. 'That's it, back to normal...all broke.'

[Highly rated reviewer]

Compelling ... like a car crash

A depressing portrayal of alcoholism and unrealised potential. Although Rourke's character has a sort of grotesque charisma, his playing does descend into gross caricature every now and then.

Showing its age now but still worth watching... especially for the clever, existentialist ending.