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, began limited release in the USA on Friday, August 18, 2006.
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.
Bukowski'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: Flow. [Originally posted on August 10, 2006, slightly tweaked].
6 comments:
we only get to see a limited number of Hollywood movies in India. only block busters and money spinners.
I love novel based films, but I like to read the novels first. If you see the movie in advance, it takes away the pleasure of reading.
Erik, Although I haven't read any Charles, 'Barfly' is one of my favorite movies! I agree with Mona about the order in which I prefer regarding books and movies. And, as you know, the books are ALWAYS better!
CONFESSION
waiting for death
like a cat
that will jump on the
bed
I am so very sorry for
my wife
she will see this
stiff
white
body
shake it once, then
maybe
again
"Hank!"
Hank won't
answer.
it's not my death that
worries me, it's my wife
left with this
pile of
nothing.
I want to
let her know
though
that all the nights
sleeping
beside her
even the useless
arguments
were things
ever splendid
and the hard
words
I ever feared to
say
can now be
said:
I love
you.
Charles Bukowski
This still remains the favorite love poem of mine ever written. It showed his true heart that he pushed down and forgot about for all those years yet it makes me thin he had a great capacity for true love.
Hey, thanks all for the comments! Hear hear on the reading first and seeing second. And yes, Mark/WM on Bukowski. That one does it (and him) right.
Yay Walking Man.
About the only thing I have in common with the great rubby poet is to at least have been a rubby and frequent loser at love.
This we all have known, we stick men, (or in Slavic), Buks.
Yay Walking Man!
About the only thing I have in common with the great rubby poet is to have been a rubby and frequent loser at love.
That I can relate to.
Especially when the Buk so well articulates it. Great poet!
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