Barton Fink

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Barton Fink

R

1991

1h 56m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Set in 1941, an intellectual New York playwright Barton Fink (John Turturro) accepts an offer to write movie scripts in L.A. He finds himself with writer's block when required to do a B-movie script. His neighbor tries to help, but he continues to struggle as a bizarre sequence of events distracts him.

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Critics Consensus

Twisty and unsettling, the Coen brothers' satirical tale of a 1940s playwright struggling with writer's block is packed with their trademark sense of humor and terrific performances from its cast.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sep 23

Funny, shocking and bizarre, "Barton Fink" is a sick joke elevated to the realm of art.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

04/06/2020

Barton Fink is one for the record books.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

01/16/2013

3.5/4

It's at its best when young Barton Fink simply stares at a picture of a bathing beauty contemplating the ocean -- a Hollywood dream.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Aug 19

4/5

A gorgeously designed paranoid parable packed with sharp detail, great in-jokes and an Oscar-nominated performance by Michael Lerner as the studio mogul from hell.

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Adrian Martin

Film Critic: Adrian Martin

Jul 30

4/5

The film has an anything-might-happen-next air and a faith in strange associative leaps that take the plot in unforeseen directions.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

12/08/2022

Barton Fink seems to be the best film of the year... but it dissolves without leaving a trace, turning into the biggest deception of the year. [Full review in Spanish]

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Ben W

@Username618 6d

Yeah, and the Faber and Faber script. Review of all Coen bros is on one of theirs, sorry- just trying to get through everything I've seen, first- then details, later. Sort of horror story- basis in reality... Reaction to working in Hollywood? crisis of faith?

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Jan 23

The story of a playwright and his struggle with the blank page is like a love letter, synchronised, to creative block, the surreal and B movies. This is one of those films that you can't help but love, even though you don't understand half of what's happening on screen, or because of that final act that leaves you with more questions than answers. It would be a shame to miss it.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Jan 10

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Ufuk E

@ufuk_erdur Jan 2

An iconic masterpiece on every level. The atmosphere, performances, screenplay, direction, and soundtrack are all so finely tuned that it’s impossible to single out what works best. Everything feeds into everything else. Barton Fink isn’t just a great film—it’s one of the finest ever made.

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Maarit L

@Komedienne Dec 31

Film is interesting in so many levels. Highly symbolistic. Ii is like Fellini’s 8 1/2 meets Lynch Mulholland Drive.

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bob c

@RT46426964 Sep 15

I have tried three times to watch this over the years and each time gave up after 15-20 minutes. It’s got many top actors and the Coens at nearly peak. But it’s dreadful. It mat not be the bros worst, since they’ve made some stinkers recently. But it’s poor.

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Joel Coen

Director

John Turturro

Barton Fink

John Goodman

Charlie Meadows

Judy Davis

Audrey Taylor

Michael Lerner

Jack Lipnick

John Mahoney

W.P. Mayhew

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Synopsis

Set in 1941, an intellectual New York playwright Barton Fink (John Turturro) accepts an offer to write movie scripts in L.A. He finds himself with writer's block when required to do a B-movie script. His neighbor tries to help, but he continues to struggle as a bizarre sequence of events distracts him.

Director: Joel Coen
Producer: Ethan Coen, Graham Place
Screenwriter: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Circle Films, Inc., Working Title Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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