I'm a bit late on the uptake, but last night I watched BORN INTO THIS on a rental DVD and was blown away by it. It's far better than I hoped it would be. The film presented a truly rounded, in-depth portrait of Bukowski, avoiding the easy cliches of his popular myth. It's changed how I perceive him as a person (not as a writer). I was not aware of the very genuine sensitive, sentimental side of the guy. It's well documented that he was often brutish, cruel, hostile, all that angry alcoholic stuff, but apparently could also be quite tender, and the film does a beautiful job of showing that little known side of him. I found it unexpectedly touching at times. The scene where he's reading a poem about Linda King and breaks down and cries surprised the hell out of me. I never imagined he felt that deeply for her. I don't think this side of Bukowski has gotten much attention as it contradicts the image of the hard-drinking, indifferent, sex-crazed madman poet of the streets, but there it is, on film. Also (contrary to the picture I had of his last marriage from that notorious kick on the sofa scene), I was surprised by the gentleness he displayed towards Linda Lee. He speaks of her and to her with tenderness in several scenes. So much to enjoy in this film: the great vintage clips from the 70s (love that one of him driving in the Volks), the last home video footage taken by Linda, the visits to his childhood home, where again, you see the raw emotion as he relives the horror of the beatings by his father. What a great film. I haven't yet watched all the bonus interviews. The interviews in the film itself with Waits (who I like) and Bono are okay, although I would have preferred interviews with people who actually knew Bukwoski well. Locklin would have been a good choice. Nonetheless, Waits has some valid insights. Cool for me to learn that Waits discovered Hank the same way I did: reading his column in the L.A. Free Press. They could have used Steve Richmond more. All in all, I give this film an "A". It makes me hungry for the other films I haven't seen (B. at Bellevue, The B. Tapes), and the forthcoming films of readings and interviews. I'm going to have to buy this DVD.
David