Inspired by the life of poet Charles Bukowski and his Hollywood exploits across the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Barfly follows Henry, a downtrodden writer, and Wanda, a distressed barroom companion. They are not husband and wife, but they are devoted to their stools, their drinks, and each other’s company as they try, in gin-soaked fits and starts, to make a life on the skids.