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Barton Fink (1991)

Barton Fink (1991)
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The title character, played by John Turturro, is a Broadway playwright, based on Clifford Odets, lured to Hollywood with the promise of untold riches by a boorish studio chieftain (played by Michael Lerner as a combination of Louis B. Mayer and Harry Cohn). Despising the film capital and everything it stands for, Barton Fink comes down with an acute case of writer's block. He is looked after by a secretary (Judy Davis) who has been acting as a ghost writer for an alcoholic screenwriter (John Mahoney, playing a character based on William Faulkner). Also keeping tabs on Fink is a garrulous traveling salesman (John Goodman), the most likeable, stable character in the picture. And then comes the plot twist to end all plot twists, plunging Barton Fink into a surreal nightmare that would make Hieronymus Bosch look like a house painter. Once more, Ethan and Joel Coen serve up a smorgasbord of quirkiness and kinkiness, where nothing is what it seems and nothing turns out as planned. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
John Turturro, John Goodman, (more)
Director(s):
Joel Coen
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of Barton Fink

The title character, played by John Turturro, is a Broadway playwright, based on Clifford Odets, lured to Hollywood with the promise of untold riches by a boorish studio chieftain (played by Michael Lerner as a combination of Louis B. Mayer and Harry Cohn). Despising the film capital and everything it stands for, Barton Fink comes down with an acute case of writer's block. He is looked after by a secretary (Judy Davis) who has been acting as a ghost writer for an alcoholic screenwriter (John Mahoney, playing a character based on William Faulkner). Also keeping tabs on Fink is a garrulous traveling salesman (John Goodman), the most likeable, stable character in the picture. And then comes the plot twist to end all plot twists, plunging Barton Fink into a surreal nightmare that would make Hieronymus Bosch look like a house painter. Once more, Ethan and Joel Coen serve up a smorgasbord of quirkiness and kinkiness, where nothing is what it seems and nothing turns out as planned. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
115 mins

Complete Cast of Barton Fink


Director(s):
Joel Coen
Writer(s):
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Producer(s):
Bill Durkin, Ethan Coen, Ben Barenholtz
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Not For Children, Adult Situations, Violence, Profanity)
Categories:
Independent Films
Barton Fink Awards:
  • 1991 - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
  • 1991 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Director
  • 1991 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
  • 1990 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
  • 1990 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Cinematography
  • 1991 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actress
  • 1991 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Cinematography
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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Glenn B.

I can see this isn't a very well liked movie, at least on this website. And, admittedly, it is one of those movies that has no definite definition; each scene can be an allegory, something else than what it is. The Coens do not give you answers, they leave doors for you to open for yourself. That style is polar; either you relish it or you despise it. But, enough with philosophy. This is one little weird movie. John Turturro is a nervous-looking playwright, off to Hollywood to write a B movie script due to the success of his Broadway play. But this is not your average Hollywood. This is a place of dripping walls, windy hallways, and the twisted "insurance" man of John Goodman. Our Fink slowly melts into oblivion as the days go on without a script written. Better than Fargo, but they're completely different. B+

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Eric K.

The Coen bros. are probably the most original screenwriters in the industry. This movie is not a movie for everyone. If you enjoy film noir, or something to make you think truely about your life and how you treat the people around you watch this film. Every character has an important part in the enviorment around Fink. I felt like I really learned something about myself. It helped better understand the poeple in my own life. If you enjoy a movie that has an open ending where you can put in your own interpretation then watch this movie, you make take something away from it like I did.

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Travis B.

Terrible. Worst Cohen brothers film by far and I've seen them all (even the really old ones). It's obvious that this is a film they wrote while they had writer's block.

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