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Bukowski: Born Into This

Play trailer Poster for Bukowski: Born Into This R Released Jan 18, 2003 2h 10m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
This documentary chronicles the writer Charles Bukowski, who is as well known for his drinking binges as for his poetry and prose. Using interviews with Bukowski and other footage, filmmaker John Dullaghan tells the story of a man who struggles to make a living while he writes from the heart. Then, after editor John Martin of Black Sparrow Press discovers Bukowski, his work becomes much more widely read. The film also includes comments from famous fans Bono, Sean Penn and Harry Dean Stanton.

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Bukowski: Born Into This

Bukowski: Born Into This

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Critics Consensus

A thoroughly engrossing documentary examining the life of talented but troubled writer Charles Bukowski.

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Critics Reviews

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Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Dullaghan uncovers the human being behind the myth, thanks again to old footage. Rated: 4/5 Jan 16, 2005 Full Review Jane Sumner Dallas Morning News An amazing, worthy journey. Rated: B+ Oct 28, 2004 Full Review Lisa Kennedy Denver Post The filmmaker knows when to shift the rhythm of his investigation. The authenticity of art is woven with the artifice of life. Rated: 3/4 Aug 20, 2004 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com It captures the essence of Bukowski in a powerful and beautiful way. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 4, 2020 Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro This excels by not merely charting the fascinating raw materials of the man's life and work, but in finding a symbiosis between its own aesthetic and the spirit of its subject Rated: 4/5 Dec 8, 2018 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed We witness Bukowski warts and all in his worst, in his best, and at his most violent--and we still love him for it. Rated: 3/4 Apr 29, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Geke g Documents are on another stage from now on. Perfect Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Munkhchimeg T Very good documentary. It shows the work, job, personal life really well at the same time in a good harmony. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Audience Member A great documentary. It could have romanticized Bukowski but as the footage used showed he could really be a nasty cunt. Speaking of cunts no surprise rent a quote Bono showed up. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Makes you want to read the man. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Born Into This, its title taken from one of his poems, is a remarkable movie, because, like Crumb or even American Splendor, it adores the very people most of us might ignore if they passed us on the street. This portrait of Bukowski is both wide ranging AND intimate. I learned that Bukowski was tireless at plying his craft. Despite his alcoholism, he wrote daily and continually submitted work for publication. This doc is an amazing worthy journey. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member An extremely well put together film, that marries the genius and madness that is Charles Bukowski. We get to peek inside the loneliness to look at the artist build emotional walls to hide his vulnerability. A very raw and intense story told by the man himself... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Bukowski: Born Into This

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Cast & Crew

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John Dullaghan

Director

Bono

Self

John Bryan

Self

Diane Markrow

Co-Producer

John McCormick

Co-Producer

Matt Jacobson

Cinematographer

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Bukowski: Born Into This

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary chronicles the writer Charles Bukowski, who is as well known for his drinking binges as for his poetry and prose. Using interviews with Bukowski and other footage, filmmaker John Dullaghan tells the story of a man who struggles to make a living while he writes from the heart. Then, after editor John Martin of Black Sparrow Press discovers Bukowski, his work becomes much more widely read. The film also includes comments from famous fans Bono, Sean Penn and Harry Dean Stanton.
Director
John Dullaghan
Distributor
Magnolia Films
Rating
R (Language|Sexual Content/Nudity)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 18, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$311.4K
Runtime
2h 10m
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