Tales of Ordinary Madness

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Barfly"
Review: "Tales..." actually makes Bukowski sympathetic as he tries to find love and sex in the L.A. underground. His harrowing adventures are interesting because he brings them all on himself. Some of the scenes get too dark and go too long, but Gazzara is great. "Barfly" was tedious and dull, this is much better.

Rating:
Summary: strange, disturbed, frightening and facinating
Review: "Tales..." actually makes Bukowski sympathetic as he tries to find love and sex in the L.A. underground. His harrowing adventures are interesting because he brings them all on himself. Some of the scenes get too dark and go too long, but Gazzara is great. "Barfly" was tedious and dull, this is much better.

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Barfly"
Review: "Tales..." actually makes Bukowski sympathetic as he tries to find love and sex in the L.A. underground. His harrowing adventures are interesting because he brings them all on himself. Some of the scenes get too dark and go too long, but Gazzara is great. "Barfly" was tedious and dull, this is much better.

Rating:
Summary: BOREEEEE........DOM!! ( Blah! )
Review: A cinematic composite of two Charles Bukowski novels (Tales Of Ordinary Madness and The Most Beautiful Girl In Town) that chronicles the life of a drunken deadpan poet/writer through his repetitiously libidinous interactions with whores, neighbors, passers-by, and Lolitas. Despite it sexually graphic scenes (typically the infamous sodomy scene with Ornella Muti) and Gazzara's occasional off-color rhetoric which, from time to time, may keep the audience interested; this film is a bore. The film tries too hard at rendering the likes of an ostracized bohemian, a secondary poet of the Fresco Beat scene, which ends up as a overemphasized cult film, made by a cult director and dedicated to bad movie lovers.

Rating:
Summary: not a superb film
Review: Actually it's not as good as the other ornella muti's films.But if you like ornella you should check this one.The film includes a little erotism with the amazing beautiy of ornella muti.

Rating:
Summary: SAD, FASCINATING,POETIC,SPELLBINDING
Review: I just first saw 'Tales Of Ordinary Madness' yesterday. I like this film. At times living through the eyes of Charlie seems gluemy and useless, but I'm constantly fascinated and wondering the outcome. I only brought this film because I'm a hugh fan and LOVE Ornella Muti, but I'm glad I've had the chance to see this film. I recommend this film. And not just because Ornella is in it.Although it does't hurt because Ornella is really good in this film. Ornella is just beautiful as always but her acting always leaves me wanting/craving for more. If your a Ornella Muti fan this should definitely be in your collection. But other than that this film is fascinating but if you havn't seen this film don't expect a uplifting, happy film. This film may not be for every one.
By Justine Ryan

Rating:
Summary: To each his own
Review: If you like Bukowski, you'll love this movie. If you don't like him, you won't like this movie at all. It's just that simple, folks.

Rating:
Summary: Provocative, intense, thought-provoking.
Review: One of the better offerings of the arthouse genre. From my reading, I have noticed that critics have been quite divided in their assessment of this film. Good! It has provided food for thought. I find it honest and heartfelt. Not its least attraction is its exquisite photography. Muti's fallen angel 'Cass' has never been displayed more beautifully and the beach scenes are impeccable. Gazzara is completely believable as the the world-weary poet who neglects his talent in favour of indulging in alcoholic and sexual excess. The poetry he recites is terrific. I hope viewers who enjoy this film are encouraged to read more of Bukowski's work. The film is sensitive, has a solid musical score and captures the spirit of Bukowskis work. A tragicomic delight.

Rating:
Summary: Not As Good As Barfly, but Worth Watching
Review: The best films showcasing the world of Charles Bukowski were Barfly, Love Is A Dog From Hell (Crazy Love), and Tales of Ordinary Madness. Although Ben Gazzara resembles Buk, he never captures his sense of life as Mickey Rourke so brilliantly did in Barfly. Still, this moody film is worth seeing -- but only if you are a fan of Charles Bukowski.

Rating:
Summary: strange, disturbed, frightening and facinating
Review: This movie works only if you let your imagination sulk to the very Id of one's being. This is not commonplace material and is only for a limited audience. One needs to understand that madness is more norm than exception, and the beautiful almost lost art of self destruction is just below the surface of many of us.