Review of Barton Fink (1991) by Dustin G — 26 Oct 2009

I'm certain that if Barton Fink came out after Fargo, it would've been a major award winner at the Oscars.

This movie is one the most original, well written, fascinating, well acted movies the Coen Brothers have ever made. Which is saying a lot, considering their filmography.

John Turturro is one of my favorite actors, and his performances in this and Miller's Crossing are two shining examples of why.

John Goodman is amazing at anything he does, he's amazing in films, he's amazing in Roseanne.

There's something about the story of this movie that I really love. A well established successful New York City playwright is persuaded to move to Los Angeles and write 'for the pictures'. Only when he gets there, he experiences some serious writer's block on his first assignment. In the meantime, he befriends a very likable John Goodman and eventually the story takes some surprising turns before ending with one of the coolest shots I've seen.

The movies looks great, the Coens have a penchant for making period pieces and the early forties setting of this film serves the story perfectly.

There is nothing I don't like about this movie. It's an easy watch, a fun watch, a movie beyond classification. I love it.