Ben Gazzara stars as an alcoholic "beat" poet drawn from the writings of Charles Bukowski, whose life also inspired 1987's "Barfly." His descent into a harrowing and outrageous world makes for disturbing, often hilarious and compelling viewing. Ornella Muti and Susan Tyrrell co-star; directed by Marco Ferreri ("La Grande Bouffe"). 103 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; scene access.

The first two books of Marcel Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past" are turned into a wonderfully realized tale of love and sex set in turn-of-the-century Paris. Jeremy Irons is a Jewish aristocrat whose affair with a gorgeous lower-class woman leads to all-consuming jealousy. With Ornella Muti and Alain Delon; Volker Schlondorff directs. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: French mono, English mono; Subtitles: English; filmography.