Writer Charles Bukowski's autobiographical account follows the besotted adventures of skid-row writer Henry (Mickey Rourke), who begins a turbulent yet caring relationship with fellow barfly Wanda (Faye Dunaway) that ignites a rocky romance. Enter a literary editor (Alice Krige) who buys one of Henry's stories and tries to get to know the troubled, intriguing man better, in hopes of saving him from self-destruction.