Tales of Ordinary Madness

Year: 1981
Director: Marco Ferreri
Starring: Ben Gazzara
Starring: Ornella Muti

Based on the works and the person of US poet Charles Bukowski. The story follows Charles Serking, a poet, drunkard and lecherous womaniser on his meanderings around LA. He eventually meets a beautiful hooker with self-harming tendencies, Cass, played by Ornella Muti. In her first scene - I think it's her first scene - she pierces her cheeks with some kind of skewer. Later on she attempts to commit suicide a number of times. Their relationship is complex and stormy.

Serking receives a job offer with a large publishing house out of town. Tempted by the offer of money he decides to leave, much to the protests of Cass who won't join him. He arrives at his new base and discovers it is not for him. He continues drinking excessively to, at times, comic effect. But soon enough he decided he's made a mistake and heads back to Cass in LA only to discover that she has committed suicide in his absence.

He drinks himself into oblivion and eventually reaches catharsis. (Although I'm not sure it was Ferreri's intention, I found some of the scenes of drunkenness here utterly hilarious; oh well, maybe that's my strange sense of humour.) Having hit rock bottom he decides to head for a seaside guesthouse, a place where he had his happiest moments with Cass. He discovers a new female interest, a young admirer, and with her help rediscovers his poetic instinct. The film ends with a beautifully rendered beach scene - a Marco Ferreri trademark.

Although the film was received very favorably in Europe, it didn't do well in the US, despite its US setting - in fact even Bukowski himself didn't like it. One reviewer points out that this may have had something to do with Gazarra's portentous pronouncements working better in subtitles. Nevertheless, Ferreri picked up four David di Donatello and two Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Director.