Tales of Ordinary Madness

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Tales of Ordinary Madness

Released Jan 3, 1982

1h 47m

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

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60%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A drunken Los Angeles poet (Ben Gazzara) who is given to excess has a series of sleazy, violent encounters with bizarre women (Ornella Muti, Susan Tyrrell).

Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

It’s a startling movie, partly because it’s so simply presented.

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

[Director Marco Ferreri,] who has delved into the human psyche often in its mainly frustrated, exploited aspects in today’s world, seems to have found a kindred spirit in the stories of the 1960s Yank sub-culture writer-poet Charles Bukowski.

Mar 27, 2009

Full Review

Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

Ben Gazzara does a remarkable job. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 23, 2019

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Steve Rhodes

Internet Reviews

Denise Gentile tries her best to save the picture but can't. The writing is too loose and the other acting is credible only in fits and spurts.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 29, 2002

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Ben Gazzara had some of Bukowski's outward mannerisms and the same beady eyes as the poet.

Rated: C

Jan 1, 2000

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Audience Member

This has got to be one of the most under-rated character studies of all time. Ben Gazzara is terrific as an alcoholic poet drinkinghimself into one stupor after another, and falling in love along the way. Based on material written by Charles Bukowski, this is an all-but-forgotten gem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've got to say that "Barfly" is my best. Storie di ordinaria follia is pretty good but the fans of Bukowski should try "Barfly" with Mickey Rourke first...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

I read the book, and this just seemed like artsy soft porn in comparison. Weird acting, and unmotivated plotlines created by cramming a 300 plus page book into an hour and a half. It had moments...but I was really looking for something else here....Gotta go watch Barfly again, I think!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Unusual movie. Ok, but not great.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

What is this nonsense? Some weird portrail in a 1980s style romance film! No humanistic element to the actor

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've got to say that "Barfly" is my best. Storie di ordinaria follia is pretty good but the fans of Bukowski should try "Barfly" with Mickey Rourke first...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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Marco Ferreri

Director

Ben Gazzara

Charles Serking

Ornella Muti

Cass

Susan Tyrrell

Vera

Tanya Lopert

Vicky

Roy Brocksmith

Barman

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Synopsis

A drunken Los Angeles poet (Ben Gazzara) who is given to excess has a series of sleazy, violent encounters with bizarre women (Ornella Muti, Susan Tyrrell).

Director: Marco Ferreri
Producer: Jacqueline Ferreri
Screenwriter: Charles Bukowski, Sergio Amidei, Marco Ferreri, Anthony Foutz
Distributor: Fred Baker Films
Production Co: 23 Giugno, Roma, Ginis Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 3, 1982, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Aug 19, 2008
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Mono