Bukowski: Born into This (2003)
90%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: 1 nomination
A thoroughly engrossing documentary examining the life of talented but troubled writer Charles Bukowski.
If you’re a fan of Bukowski, you’ll love this documentary. If you’re not a fan, you’ll still love this documentary. Born into This gives us a glimpse into the life of the man behind the myth, and it’s fascinating. From his tough exterior to his vulnerable core, we see it all. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good warts-and-all portrayal of a literary icon? Plus, the old footage is a real treat. So grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Magnolia Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and sexual content/nudity
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.33 : 1
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Runtime:2h 10m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 2003 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 21, 2006
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring Charles Bukowski, directed by John Dullaghan, written by John Dullaghan, documentary, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Marc Savlov, Jane Sumner, Robert Denerstein, Lisa Kennedy, John Hartl, Roger Ebert, Richard Propes, PJ Nabarro, Patrick Nabarro, Felix Vasquez Jr., Dennis Schwartz, Matt McKillop, Duane Dudek, Bono, John Bryan, Diane Markrow, John McCormick, Magnolia Films, R rating, poetry, prose, drinking, interviews, Black Sparrow Press, Bono, Sean Penn, Harry Dean Stanton, Tom Waits
Worldwide gross: $329,097
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $519,146
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,730
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 56,614
US/Canada gross: $318,816
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $502,928
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,325
US/Canada opening weekend: $27,095
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $42,742
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,261
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
John Bryan – Self
John Dullaghan – Director
Diane Markrow – Co-Producer
John McCormick – Co-Producer
Director(s)
John Dullaghan
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (8)
Dullaghan uncovers the human being behind the myth, thanks again to old footage.
January 16, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
An amazing, worthy journey.
October 28, 2004 | Rating: B+
Jane Sumner
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Provides an overview of Bukowski’s work and allows us to gaze into the soul of a man who built a fortress of toughness around his vulnerable core.
August 20, 2004 | Rating: B+
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
TOP CRITIC
The filmmaker knows when to shift the rhythm of his investigation. The authenticity of art is woven with the artifice of life.
August 20, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
Over a period of seven years, Dullaghan interviewed hundreds of people who knew or were affected by Bukowski. The result is both wide-ranging and intimate.
July 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
John Hartl
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
How much was legend, how much was pose, how much was real? I think it was all real, and the documentary suggests as much.
July 16, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
It captures the essence of Bukowski in a powerful and beautiful way.
September 4, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
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
December 8, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
PJ Nabarro
Patrick Nabarro
We witness Bukowski warts and all in his worst, in his best, and at his most violent–and we still love him for it.
April 29, 2009 | Rating: 3/4
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
This thorough documentary is essential for the poet’s fans.
June 30, 2006 | Rating: A
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
there is plenty of conflict to be found in the Bukowski’s life and work, yet little of it makes its way into Born into This
April 14, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Matt McKillop
Filmcritic.com
[Bukowski] is never seen in less than fighting spirit or formidable form throughout the documentary Bukowski: Born into This.
August 20, 2005 | Rating: 3/4
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…
Plot
This documentary chronicles the life of writer Charles Bukowski, from his struggles to make a living to his rise in fame after being discovered by editor John Martin of Black Sparrow Press.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features comments from famous fans Bono, Sean Penn, and Harry Dean Stanton.
John-Dullaghan.jpg
