By Jen Chaney
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 21, 2006; 12:00 AM

"Bukowski: Born Into This" (R; List price: $26.98)
Release Date: March 21

Odds are that you probably missed "Bukowski: Born Into This" when it briefly played in arthouse theaters two years ago. You might not even know that this independently-made documentary exists. That's the beauty of DVD: It gives a home to worthy little movies that might otherwise end up homeless.

As its title suggests, "Born Into This" explores the life and legacy of the hard-drinking yet enormously prolific novelist and poet Charles Bukowski, whose blunt way with words inspired artists from David Lynch to U2's Bono. First-time director John Dullaghan does an admirable job of weaving together the contradictory characteristics -- gentle soul one minute, abusive husband the next -- that made the man who he was. It's an intimate portrait, almost uncomfortably so, and that allows the film to translate perfectly to the small screen.

Those unfamiliar with Bukowski or his work -- in addition to writing novels such as "Post Office" and "Factotum," he also crafted the semi-autobiographical screenplay for "Barfly" -- should find this film a fascinating introduction. Hardcore Bukowski fans undoubtedly will appreciate the ample extras that accompany the doc on DVD. Those features include: several poems from a forthcoming, posthumous collection of Bukowski's work; a deleted scene with comments from another woman in the author's seemingly endless parade of former lovers; extended interviews with sources who appear in the film, including "Ray" director Taylor Hackford and Bono; a making-of featurette; and a surprisingly robust audio commentary by Dullaghan.

Of course, "Bukowski: Born Into This" is not for everyone. Some may find the writer's perpetual obsessions with alcohol, sex and gambling off-putting, even in light of his difficult childhood and unquestionable devotion to his work. But it's impossible to leave "Bukowski" behind without feeling some respect for a man who faithfully returned to his typewriter day after day because, in the end, writing was the one addiction he couldn't bear to kick.

Most Poetic Bonus Point: During one extra, Bono and singer Tom Waits each read one of Bukowski's poems, imbuing his words with their own iconic voices. The only shame is that we don't get to hear other similar interpretations of the writer's work.

Also on DVD This Week: "Capote," "The Squid and the Whale" and more.

For more on new DVDs, visit washingtonpost.com's DVD section.