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Barfly is a 1987 drama-comedy film that revolves around a drunken poet named Henry Chinaski, who spends most of his time hanging out in bars, drinking and getting into brawls. The movie is directed by Barbet Schroeder, and the screenplay is written by Charles Bukowski, based on his own experiences. Mickey Rourke plays the character of Henry Chinaski in the movie. He portrays a down-and-out character who is constantly drunk and unable to hold down a regular job. Despite his failing health and his poverty, Chinaski has a carefree approach to life and a deep love for poetry.

Faye Dunaway plays Wanda Wilcox, a weary barfly who has seen it all before. She engages in a love affair with Chinaski, despite his rough exterior and his almost permanent drunken state. As two troubled souls, they share an intense connection and understand each other's pain.

Alice Krige plays Tully Sorenson, a woman who enters Chinaski's life as a result of his poetry. Tully is a wealthy art dealer who is drawn to the raw power of Chinaski's writing. She becomes his patron, helping him to publish his work while presenting him with an alternate life that challenges his existence as a wandering bard.

The movie is set in Los Angeles in the early 1980s and explores the themes of alcoholism, poverty and self-expression. The characters in the movie are raw, gritty and unpolished, reflecting the underbelly of society that is often ignored.

Throughout the movie, we see Chinaski drinking, fighting, and writing poetry in the bars of Los Angeles. His poetry is both simple and profound, reflecting his life experiences and his perspective on the world. He performs his poems at various bars, and his unique style and delivery leave a powerful impression on the audience.

One of the central themes of the movie is the idea of the creative process. The film portrays how Chinaski's drinking and brawling connects to his writing, as he uses his experiences to create poetry that is honest and authentic. The movie also explores the psychological factors that contribute to creativity, such as the isolation and self-destructive tendencies that are often part of the artistic journey.

Barfly is a film that defies classification, as it is both a comedy and a drama that satirizes society while remaining deeply personal. It is a movie that does not shy away from the bleak parts of life, but rather embraces them as an essential part of the human experience.

Overall, Barfly is a gritty and raw movie that explores the underbelly of Los Angeles through the eyes of a drunken poet. The film is a testament to the power of art, as well as the harsh realities of life that inspire it. With compelling performances from the cast, engaging writing, and a unique perspective, Barfly remains a classic of 1980s cinema.

Barfly is a 1987 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 70.