bukowski bio/documentary
Friday, June 11th, 2004 | otherStuff
for me the best part about the bukowski bio/documentary, “born into this”, was finally seeing buk talking on film from the mid-to late 60s, all thru the 70’s & on tape in the 80’s & 90’s …one doesn’t come away from the theatre knowing anything new or unsung about the bard, but it is a treat to watch & hear him SAY the things one has read so often …hearing his voice for the first time i was struck by how nasal & whiney it was …i had always expected a gruff, throaty, tom waits-like timbre, but hank’s voice is more of a smashed-up drawl, that sounds inexplicably southern or okie at times …altho it’s probably safe to say that he never once makes an entirely sober appearance at any point in the film, many times in this film he is self-conscious, that is; aware of the fact that he is nailing his myth up firmly in place for posterity …in a few places he seems to actually let his guard down entirely, & that coupled w/his “5 or 6 bottles of wine” drunken stupor can be a truly ugly sight, (his physical & verbal abuse of linde lee in one scene particularly so)
…the film itself is little more than a moderately stylish pastiche of filmed interviews by european journalists & video tapes of readings later in his career …we are also subjected to the earnest musings & memories of fans/friends bono & sean penn, but thankfully their presence on screen is brief …buk’s widow linda lee emerges as the soul of the work, shining thru the director’s worshipful admiration for the writer & his ‘dirty old man’ persona
…in fact, according to a recent article in the L.A. Weekly, this film would not of been made w/out her persuading the director to do so, as he originally had plans to simply write another biography of buk & show off his impressive collection of memorabilia …easily matching buk’s love for truth & directness, linda lee allowed the director access to the inner workings of her relationship w/buk, & her own soul …what a brave, understanding, & loving woman he had in her
check out the films website at:
>magpictures.com
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