MovieChat Forums > Barfly (1987) Discussion > Overrated

Overrated

posted 19 years ago by wandajune26
82 replies | jump to latest

Is it just me or is Charles Bukowski the most overrated writer ever? I used to be a serious drunk and during those lost years Bukowski was my favorite writer, I thought he was pretty brilliant. I've been sober for awhile now and I recently went back and read some of his stuff (I have most of his books) and I really hated to admit it to myself, but the writing struck me as pretty one dimensional and self indulgent. It occured to me that he'd pretty much siad all he had to say early in his writing career and basically repeated himself over and over ad nauseum. I still like some of his stuff (Ham on Rye in particular), but brilliant he isn't. I mean I used to see him as this almost heroic figure fighting the odds and all that other sh**, but now I see him as kind of a bitter a**hole who wasn't nearly as talented as he apparently thought he was. The thing is, I don't know how much of this new perspective I have can be attributed to sobriety and how much can be attributed to maturity (I got into him when I was 23 years old, I'm 32 now). I'm just wondering what anyone elses take on this is. Thanks

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[–] Blacktele 18 years ago

I don't drink, never have never will, it just doesn't appeal to me. And I still find this movie to be great! I love the characters, the writing, the scene set up. You don't have to be a drunk to appreciate this film. Just because you've lost your 1st feel for this film along with your buzz, doesn't justify it being overrated.

I love this movie.

[–] lastknown 18 years ago

Good Blacktele, I'm glad you exist.

[–] Blacktele 18 years ago

haha, no problem.

www.myspace.com/ksaband
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[–] dr_remlaw 18 years ago

Never gotten drunk eh...

Oh well.

http://www.ymdb.com/daniel-glassman/l34590_ukuk.html

[–] Blacktele 18 years ago

Yes, not even a sip. But don't confuse me for one of them Hxc straight edge scene *beep* I've just seene it *beep* over way too many loved ones. no joke. But yeah, I don't care if others drink, most people can drink without *beep* up their life.

www.myspace.com/ksaband
Kentucky Sound Arsenal

[–] maneljoaocardoso 13 years ago

You may or you may not like his main theme...but you can't deny the value of his writing.

He can put a sentence like no other.

[–] rye-bread 13 years ago

maybe your antipathy is what keeps you sober. If you start to empathize, you might relapse.

I might be sounding facetious. Am watching the movie on Youtube even at this moment. Very sordid. Brilliant portrayal by Micky Rourke. Not a feel-good story. Hardly touch intoxicant myself. I know some who are recovering drinkers, including my pastor, who is very candid about his days impaired.

I perceive this flick is more than about drinking. It's about addictive behavior in general. There's porn, food, simple procrastination, yadda yadda. I once read the only logical way to live in a world of pain is to get lost in one's impairment.

What is my drug? Fantasy, sci fi, superhero media. Writing. On my good days, I get lost in Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

BTW...I wish you Godspeed on your life path. may Heaven give us all grace to stay clean.

[–] cafenitro 10 years ago

It's just you.

[–] matt72582 8 years ago

the "drunk writer" crap is so pretentious.. just like the movie - the way Rourke talked was annoying enough.

[–] Druff (1796) 10 days ago

I'm a bit of a Bukowski fan, but yeah I'd agree he's definitely overrated by many. A pathetic alcoholic loser POS who had the ability to tell 'slice of life' stories in an entertaining way. It boggles my mind that anyone would enjoy his poetry. But hey, he still achieved more in life than I or any of you ever will.

[–] letess (1513) 10 days ago

I loved this movie. This was one of Rourke and Dunaway’s best movies.

Another movie, although I don’t think it got good reviews but I thought it was interesting, was a Bukowski story with Ben Gazzara and Ornella Muti - Tales of Ordinary Madness.

Most writers are alcoholic - especially the good ones - and at the middle and end it does get pathetic. Bukowski’s stories center around the seedy parts of LA and I find this fascinating. I also know where they are. Whatever he was, he was a great writer, and this movie and its performances were very well done.