Barton Fink (1991)

Set in 1941, a successful American playwright –Barton Fink- accepts a proposal to write movie scripts in Los Angeles, and finds himself with writer's block when required to do a B-movie wrestling script. The film’s cast includes names such as John Goodman, John Turturro and Steve Buscemi, and is helmed by the Coen brothers (directed, written and produced.) Described by some as a surrealist homage to the films of Roman Polanski, the film offers a narrative rich in symbolism and enigma for audience’s to interpret. The film’s begins with a euphoric scene in which we see Barton Fink (John Turturro) awkwardly accept his rigorous applause following the success of his play. He is quickly summoned by a film company to LA, where he is adored by eccentric executive Jack Lipnick (Michael Lerner). Lerner commands every sequence he is in, imposing not only his flesh onto Barton but his plans for his contracted writer to create an outstanding film about wrestling. As Barton checks in to a hotel, he realises that he is suffering from writer’s block and is struggling to get started on his screenplay. From what feels like a steady, accentuated beginning, the film’s pacing suddenly increases as Barton’s deadline looms. Whilst meeting the instantly-likable Charlie (John Goodman), and the not so likable W. P. Mayhew (John Mahoney), Barton travels on a trip of self-discovery and reflection, climaxing in an extraordinary final act. Perhaps the film’s greatest strength is that it manages to effortlessly blend moments of comedy, tension and violence into a mixture of haunting cinematic magic. The Coen’s linger over shots for often uncomfortably short periods of time, planting images in audience’s heads. The image of the wallpaper in Barton’s room peeling resonates particularly strongly. Barton Fink marked the beginning of the Coen brother’s introduction to mainstream cinema audiences, and the film’s impressive performances, editing and perfectly handled pacing means that it may be one of their finest films to date.