Factotum (2005), based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Los Angeles-based writer Charles "Buk" Bukowski and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Bent Hamer, will begin limited USA release on Friday, August 18, 2006. It's been traveling around Europe since last year.
Charles Bukowski (8/16/1920-3/9/1994) devoted most of his adult life to writing, women, drinking, smoking, gambling, and avoiding conventional jobs or responsibilities as much as possible. Before he died, he published forty-five books, mostly novels and poetry, and became a cult figure. Barfly (1987) and Crazy Love (1987) are earlier films based on Bukowski's work. There's also a documentary that came out two years ago, Bukowski: Born Into This, that is packed with good footage.
In Factotum, Matt Dillon plays Bukowski's fictional alter-ego, Hank Chinaski (played by Mickey Rourke in Barfly). Given that the real Bukowski was vaguely hideous in appearance, this is a merciful choice. The main women in the film are inspired choices, too: Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei, among others. The film was actually shot in Minnesota, not L.A.
Bukowski was quite a character. He retained a strong belief in his writing abilities and has inspired many in his wake. He has also inspired a number of people, mostly men, to think they can laze or roam aimlessly about and somehow become cult figures themselves, without having to actually write much or make any effort on their own. In that sense, Bukowski's life is also a cautionary tale.
Bukoswki's titles alone are usually worth the price of admission. Five examples: Poems Written Before Jumping Out of an 8 Story Window (1968), Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills (1969), Love is a Dog from Hell (1977), Ham on Rye (1982), and If You Let Them Kill You They Will (1989).
Today's Rune: Fertility.
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10 comments:
Oooh this looks good!
That looks like a good movie. Matt Dillen gives me the creeps in some of his movies... he has like the hugest teeth!!! anyway I just saw You Me and Dupree not too long ago and he was really good in that, as was Owen Wilson. I love the Wilson brothers (Luke and Owen) they make such great movies! Great post!!! cheers!
He was a postal worker for more than a decade--hardly "avoiding" conventional jobs. He was an everyday dork who wrote poetry. That's his attraction. Very ugly dude though. All of the smoking collapsed the veins in his face and made him look cadaverous or like a slightly animated blood hound or a Polish-American version of Auden without the education.
Mickey Rourke in "Barfly": "This is for all my FRIENDS!"
Can't wait to see this movie! Thanks for the heads up.
Well, another must see. I have Born Into This, and really enjoy it and several readings on CD. "Hostage" is especially good. What has always fascinated me about Bukowski was in-between the crude poems that dominated his books of poetry, there were always a few stand outs that were very sweet and sincere. It still fascinates me today that next to poems about farting he could write about love in beautiful verse.
Bukowski was a species of hero of the diligent classroom. I started to read it with small stories and later the romances. It was a type that made great sacrifices, jumped of a work for another one. For times they were horrible works, that plus nobody wanted. It made everything to survive in this World and to write its poems and books. The film speaks of a difficult period of the life of it, when it was to try to impose as writer. I read you criticize, but I live in a place that delays more to show. Beijus
If the reviews to date hold true, this could be a huge device to turn a new generation onto Bukowski. Palahniuk and Thom Jones cite him as influences as do many other writers. One may criticize the lifestyle he led, but if the world ends up with more writers and fewer bankers as a result of his work, I’d say that’s pretty fucking cool.
Hey everybody, thanks bunches for the comments. I'm not criticizing Bukowski by any means! I'm simply saying that I know a lot of guys who think they can be like Bukowski without actually doing any writing. They like the idea of being a writer (or doing other art forms) without actually writing! That's all. I'm with you, Chas, Luma, Lee, Gloria, Sheila, Cheri and even "AP." Cheers all, and here's to "Writing" (great anthem for writing)!
Erik,
I agree: There are many dudes that want to be "like" Bukowski. They want his persona minus having to write everyday.
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