Production Values

I really don't know what you're talking about...I really liked this movie when it first came out. I then read the bukowski books without figuring out that it was his movie. I then rediscovered barfly and now I love it. I've never had a problem with the production values...ever. I felt that I was in that bar, in his ratty rooming house, out on the street etc. You should watch the DVD with the audio commentary from the director and you'll see the pains that were taken to make certain shots look right....

You saw this film 15 years ago on video, which means it looks like it was made on video. Trust me, video quality was very bad circa 1989 and before. The resolution was terrible, and independant films like this one really got the shaft. Murky colors, etc., your judgements of this film are made based on the video. Check out the dvd. I remember someone told me Silence of the Lambs looked dated, because they had a cassette from when it first came out on dvd. I showed them the new dvd and they were blown away by how "current" it looked. VHS and especially old vhs are not any good. Don't judge movies because of them.

I don't get this particular criticism at all. Did you view a dirty tape? I completely dug the look of this film -- the use of location, the use of neon, the interiors, the red wings flapping in the window of their apartment. The great Robbie Muller was the director of photography. He is generally considered one of the best in the business behind the camera. He has worked with Jarmusch through out JJ's filmmaking career.

i would agree with you if i hadn't read 'Hollywood' before, which outlines Bukowskis trek through the production of the movie. i suggest reading that then giving the movie another look. then you can see where he comes in, despite poor production value. It gives it an edgier darker feel than the movie already posseses.