The Bukowski Tapes - 1987 - 7/10
Accurate rating if If you are a hardcore Bukowski fan.
If you are going Buko – who? - however, then drop score to a 5.
Long series of interviews by director Barbet Schroder done around the time he filmed Barfly, ostensibly of and about the skid row poet of Los Angeles.
Bukowski rambles at length on varying topics: inferior peers, smog, alcohol versus marijuana, the horses, crazy women, his gradual fame, the meaningless of life, ugly people, shallow people, futility. At times insightful, other times nonsense, drunkard warbling.
Favorite bit was watching him drive about the old neighborhood in an open convertible, pointing out landmarks, telling stories.
Most infamous bit was him getting physically violent with girlfriend (later wife), Linda, and cameras turning off.
One of my regrets was never having trekked to Bukowski’s East Los Angeles home while I lived in LA during the late 70’s.
I certainly went to other writers, and I prowled east Hollywood Boulevard a couple times a month.
Too busy chasing leg and getting high. Stupid stoner.