Cinematography:
Roger DeakinsComposer:
Carter BurwellCast:
John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner, John Mahoney, Tony Shalhoub, Jon Polito, Steve Buscemi, Richard Portnow, Meagen Fay, Max Grodénchik (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Barton Fink (John Turturro) is a New York playwright lured to Hollywood to work as a screenwriter. It doesn't take long for Barton's life to erupt in complete chaos. His studio boss orders the serious-minded Barton to write a low budget wrestling movie. Deeply disappointed, Barton returns to his seedy hotel, types one sentence and then nothing. To make matters worse, he is continually interrupted by Charlie (John Goodman), a chatty travelling insurance salesman who lives next door. Eventually they become friends and Charlie tries to help Barton by teaching him the finer points of wrestling. As the clock ticks away and the temperature climbs, Barton becomes more desperate as his life spins out of control. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
A symbolic wrestling of empty narrative with expressive style, which in sum tells us nothing much and remains only a methodical contemplation of the unbearable lightness of creative (in)being. Precise performances (another iconic supporting role for John Goodman), visually really imaginative and at times almost Kafkaesque atmospheric, but insanely drawn out in the first half, providing no clues to get into the main character's strange story with sincere interest and sober attention. While I admire the Coen brothers' poetics of expression, Barton Fink is an unusually forgettable film by their standards, though the last twenty minutes, on the other hand, constitute their immortal magnum opus. I’ll gladly watch it again some day; for the time being, strong 3*.
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