Barton Fink opinions and discussion
05-05-03, 12:14 PM
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Barton Fink opinions and discussion
I watched this movie for the second time this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The first time I saw it in the early 90's I didn't like it. My tastes have changed a lot in the last 10 years, and I have grown to love Cohen Bros. movies.
I watched it with my girlfriend and this was her first time watching it. She hated it, and now she hates me for wasting two hours of her life. I've been able to rebut all of her arguments about why she hated it, but I'm okay that she hates it. When she asked me why I like it so much I had to think how to put my feelings into words.
I like it because it's funny and different. The film has substance that is not readily apparent on the surface.
That said I'd like to hear your opinions on why you liked or disliked the movie.
I watched it with my girlfriend and this was her first time watching it. She hated it, and now she hates me for wasting two hours of her life. I've been able to rebut all of her arguments about why she hated it, but I'm okay that she hates it. When she asked me why I like it so much I had to think how to put my feelings into words.
I like it because it's funny and different. The film has substance that is not readily apparent on the surface.
That said I'd like to hear your opinions on why you liked or disliked the movie.
05-05-03, 01:02 PM
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I hated it the first time, too. But I recently reviewed it here at dvdtalk (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=6237) and must say it's one of the Coen brothers best films. It has some of the best subtle humor I've seen on film.
And the fact that the story centers around a struggling writer, well, I know the feeling.
As with all Coen brother films, this one gets better each time I see it.
And the fact that the story centers around a struggling writer, well, I know the feeling.
As with all Coen brother films, this one gets better each time I see it.
05-05-03, 01:28 PM
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It's a great film, but if people are indifferent to the subjects of writing and Hollywood and 'creative types' they aren't going to have much to relate to.
Even so much as having struggled with a university dissertation can produce the required empathy.
Even so much as having struggled with a university dissertation can produce the required empathy.
05-27-03, 12:00 PM
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I love this film. But I wanted to add something. What was going on in Cannes that year that this movie won ALL THREE top Prizes? Best Director, Best Film, and Best Actor. Was it a slow year. It's a great film and deserved recognition, but usually they like to spread the love around a little more.
05-28-03, 04:28 AM
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After reading rave reviews I hired this for a group of friends back when it first came out and they've never forgiven me for it. Nearly every time I recommend a move they say, 'but you liked Barton Fink!'. It is the one of the slowest moving movies released in the last decade, particularly early on.
I found it got a little interesting when there was a plot twist, but everything up till then was excruciatingly dull. If people could actually provide some examples of funny stuff in the movie i'd be interested to hear it. Nobody ever seems to do that for Cohen bros movies. They always say how funny it was and I can never see why.
Barton Fink was been part of an often repeated Cohen brothers pattern in my life. Read the rave reviews. Hire the movie. Struggle to stay awake. I've finally learned to stay away from them now. People are just different. If you like them then I'm happy for you.
I found it got a little interesting when there was a plot twist, but everything up till then was excruciatingly dull. If people could actually provide some examples of funny stuff in the movie i'd be interested to hear it. Nobody ever seems to do that for Cohen bros movies. They always say how funny it was and I can never see why.
Barton Fink was been part of an often repeated Cohen brothers pattern in my life. Read the rave reviews. Hire the movie. Struggle to stay awake. I've finally learned to stay away from them now. People are just different. If you like them then I'm happy for you.
05-28-03, 01:21 PM
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The movie really centers around the struggle of a writer in an accountant's world. If you have ever had to deliver a creative piece of work to an uncreative Philistine boss, you might understand Barton's plight. Personally, I find Barton's talks with the LAPD to be the funniest part of the movie:
Spoiler:
05-28-03, 02:38 PM
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I love the Coens' movies. This one is disorienting. While it is funny and sly. I loved when Barton was talking about his art for the common man and John Goodman's character is trying to tell him about what it's like to be a common man and Barton won't let him get word in edgewise. Hilarious. The ending was very odd. I definitely will rewatch it. I don't think it will become one of my favorites.
05-28-03, 02:52 PM
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Originally posted by mwj
I love the Coens' movies. This one is disorienting. While it is funny and sly. I loved when Barton was talking about his art for the common man and John Goodman's character is trying to tell him about what it's like to be a common man and Barton won't let him get word in edgewise. Hilarious. The ending was very odd. I definitely will rewatch it. I don't think it will become one of my favorites.
I love the Coens' movies. This one is disorienting. While it is funny and sly. I loved when Barton was talking about his art for the common man and John Goodman's character is trying to tell him about what it's like to be a common man and Barton won't let him get word in edgewise. Hilarious. The ending was very odd. I definitely will rewatch it. I don't think it will become one of my favorites.
Spoiler:
Tony Shalhoub put in a great performance once again.
05-28-03, 03:57 PM
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I love Barton Fink (after Miller's Crossing it's my favorite of the Coens), but in my experience the scenes with John Mahoney and Judy Davis start to drag the movie down after you've seen it five or six times. Other than that I think it's flawless.
05-28-03, 04:03 PM
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I thought it was a great movie. Never really got the "too slow" criticism for some of the Coens' films - I mean, they're not Baz Luhrmann films, but anyone frustrated with the pace of Barton Fink would tear their eyes out watching the average Iranian film. To each his own, I suppose.
And as to why people never explain why the Coens are funny, well, a lot of it is situational. If I tell you that the rug really tied the room together or that what I really want is that Barton Fink feeling, it means nothing out of context. And if you can't see the humor in context, than I guess it's just not your style.
And as to why people never explain why the Coens are funny, well, a lot of it is situational. If I tell you that the rug really tied the room together or that what I really want is that Barton Fink feeling, it means nothing out of context. And if you can't see the humor in context, than I guess it's just not your style.
05-28-03, 04:34 PM
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Originally posted by Pants
I love this film. But I wanted to add something. What was going on in Cannes that year that this movie won ALL THREE top Prizes? Best Director, Best Film, and Best Actor. Was it a slow year. It's a great film and deserved recognition, but usually they like to spread the love around a little more.
I love this film. But I wanted to add something. What was going on in Cannes that year that this movie won ALL THREE top Prizes? Best Director, Best Film, and Best Actor. Was it a slow year. It's a great film and deserved recognition, but usually they like to spread the love around a little more.
Originally posted by Iron Chef
Tony Shalhoub put in a great performance once again.
Tony Shalhoub put in a great performance once again.
Quite possibly my favorite movie ever.
05-28-03, 04:53 PM
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Originally posted by slop101
I think I'm gonna have to hire this movie soon.
I think I'm gonna have to hire this movie soon.
05-28-03, 06:29 PM
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Originally posted by Matt925
The movie is in part an homage to two Polanski films, Repulsion and The Tennant. Polanski was Chair of the jury that year, and more than a few people think that had something to do with it.
"Jesus, throw a rock in here and you'll hit one. And do me a favor Fink. Throw it hard."
Quite possibly my favorite movie ever.
The movie is in part an homage to two Polanski films, Repulsion and The Tennant. Polanski was Chair of the jury that year, and more than a few people think that had something to do with it.
"Jesus, throw a rock in here and you'll hit one. And do me a favor Fink. Throw it hard."
Quite possibly my favorite movie ever.
05-28-03, 11:04 PM
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If I remember correctly wasn't the year that Barton Fink won all 3 major awards at Cannes the same year that Spike Lee had Malcom X at Cannes and he was pissed because it didn't win anything? I swear I remember a director getting upset because he felt he got snubbed since there had never been a movie that swept the Cannes film festival.
The beauty of Barton Fink is that there are SO many levels too it. All kinds of themes, meanings, nuances and subtleties to characters, scenes or dialogue. It has satire, humor, drama, you name it. It is a movie ripe for discussion. I like how some things you get right away and some things like the wallpaper peeling, the mosquitos, or the fire in the hallways for example leave you scratching your head when you first see it looking for deeper meaning. Even the little things, like what's in the box that Charlie gives Barton, or does the title of W.P. Mayhew's book in the movie have some significance? I always find something new everytime I see it. I guess what I'm trying to say is I absolutely love this movie.
The beauty of Barton Fink is that there are SO many levels too it. All kinds of themes, meanings, nuances and subtleties to characters, scenes or dialogue. It has satire, humor, drama, you name it. It is a movie ripe for discussion. I like how some things you get right away and some things like the wallpaper peeling, the mosquitos, or the fire in the hallways for example leave you scratching your head when you first see it looking for deeper meaning. Even the little things, like what's in the box that Charlie gives Barton, or does the title of W.P. Mayhew's book in the movie have some significance? I always find something new everytime I see it. I guess what I'm trying to say is I absolutely love this movie.
Last edited by Bilbo Baggins; 05-28-03 at 11:08 PM.
05-29-03, 03:47 AM
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Originally posted by Bilbo Baggins
The beauty of Barton Fink is that there are SO many levels too it. All kinds of themes, meanings, nuances and subtleties to characters, scenes or dialogue. It has satire, humor, drama, you name it. It is a movie ripe for discussion. I like how some things you get right away and some things like the wallpaper peeling, the mosquitos, or the fire in the hallways for example leave you scratching your head when you first see it looking for deeper meaning. Even the little things, like what's in the box that Charlie gives Barton, or does the title of W.P. Mayhew's book in the movie have some significance? I always find something new everytime I see it.
The beauty of Barton Fink is that there are SO many levels too it. All kinds of themes, meanings, nuances and subtleties to characters, scenes or dialogue. It has satire, humor, drama, you name it. It is a movie ripe for discussion. I like how some things you get right away and some things like the wallpaper peeling, the mosquitos, or the fire in the hallways for example leave you scratching your head when you first see it looking for deeper meaning. Even the little things, like what's in the box that Charlie gives Barton, or does the title of W.P. Mayhew's book in the movie have some significance? I always find something new everytime I see it.
Spoiler:
05-20-04, 06:07 PM
#23
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Hey gang, I finally caught this and I was blown away. It's in my top 3 Coens bros movies of all time(with O brother and Lebowski).
A couple of questions though:
Check it out if you like any Coens films, this one is terrific.
A couple of questions though:
Spoiler:
Check it out if you like any Coens films, this one is terrific.
05-20-04, 06:10 PM
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Great Film, I loved the overall feel and it had such a freaky element to it.
05-20-04, 06:44 PM
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I watch this movie at least once a year 
Like Rival11 posted, a great bizarro feel, great cinematography, great acting by everyone. It seems John Goodman really brings his A game with the Coens.
Like Rival11 posted, a great bizarro feel, great cinematography, great acting by everyone. It seems John Goodman really brings his A game with the Coens.