Review of Barton Fink (1991) by Jess K — 10 Feb 2009

When I first saw this around ten years ago I'd never before felt compelled to do internet research into the interpretation of a film. Now I'm more accepting of ambiguity and content to decipher for myself.

As always the Coens bring the weird, and cook up some outstanding dialogue for their supporting characters. John Goodman has got to be one of the most under-appreciated actors in the world, and his performance here shifts in the most natural and satisfying way.

There are some problems with the sheer level of abstraction, but with the right interpretation those can easily be rationalized.