I can't explain to you how much I loved this film

I always thought it was a good movie but a really great performance.
He was even better in this than in The Wrestler imho and he rocked in The Wrestler!

I agree, Gemnoli. This has long been one of my favorite films. I watched it numerous times between 1987 and 1990 and several times since. Back in those years I could probably act out the entire Chinaski part, line for line. This film was like a comfortable, old blanket to me.

Sonofcelluloid, it's like you want to climb into the screen and hang out with them, right? I have so many fond memories of hanging out with bar flies, staggering out polluted in the middle of a bright weekday afternoon. It sounds pathetic, but I totally disagree with many of the other posters here...yes, generally there are not too many people worth talking to or knowing in such places, but I did meet some truly fascinating people living that lifestyle (who would not have wanted to meet Bukowski?).

Have you guys read Bukowski, by the way? Not all of his poetry is that good (and, of course, he considered himself a poet), but his autobiographical books Ham on Rye, Factotum, Post Office, etc. are unbelievably enjoyable reads. His writing is so simplistic, yet brilliant. My particular favorite is Ham on Rye evee though it's mostly his life growing up and ends at about 18 yrs of age (not a full blown drunkard yet). His one novel is also excellent.