Film 44

Barton Fink (1991)

Director: Joel Coen

Has Fentablar seen this before?: No.

It seems oddly appropriate that I've had a bout of writer's block as I've attempted to write this commentary on Barton Fink. The fact of the matter is, I enjoyed it so much that it's tough to know where to begin. For one thing, I don't think there is a single thing wrong with this film. The Coen brothers once again weave a tremendous tale, greatly accented by Joel Coen's skill in the director's chair as well as a fine set of performances.

After viewing Barton Fink, it seems to me that a common theme for Coen brothers films is that of "an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances". Now, extraordinary circumstances can be taken in a few ways. In the case of Barton Fink, here is a writer who is thrust into a situation of controlled writing - something he is not used to, and not something he would normally do. Were it not for the incredible reputation potential, Barton may very well have declined the invitation to Hollywood altogether. As it stands, he finds himself wrestling with his own moral fibers - indeed, his own character. Oh, what a match it is.

Another very common thing about Coen brothers films is the astounding importance of the dialogue within the script itself. Through the dialogue, we have the keys to Barton Fink and the symbolic significance of that which we see in the film - depending on how you look at it, there isn't necessarily just one "right answer" for the elements of the film. In my opinion this makes Coen brothers films more "human", by which I mean their films have a greater than average capacity for connecting to the "inner-seeking" aspects of each of our personalities. For this reason, I am and have been more than willing to say that Joel and Ethan Coen have written some of the best scripts in the history of American cinema (please note that I do not say "the entire history of cinema" as it is somewhat questionable to me the appreciation of Coen brothers films outside of the US - I simply do not know what the "foreign" perceptions are).

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Plot Effectiveness: 5/5. "You must be in pictures." What great stuff.

Cinematography/Shot Selection: 5/5. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Joel Coen knows what he's doing with a camera.

Overall Acting: 5/5. Goodman and Turturro both floored me. These two guys are spectacular actors.

Score/Soundtrack: 5/5. Again and again, I've said thematics is key.

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

~Fentablar~