this movie show the life of harry voss and from be a child with a romantic vision of the world to become a frustrated alcoholic . only the third part be base on the short story the copulating mermaid of venice and california by charles bukowski . but it development be so intense that it require two other chapter in order to make it even more meaningful . it mixes nice and entertaining image with black and depressing scene and the end might not be everybody taste . a one of the song of the movie put it and love hurt but it can also kill . although the film can be funny at time it be mainly sad and it will not leave any spectator indifferent .