Post by Malibu Albino on Dec 28, 2010 0:06:40 GMT -5
Today, for the first time, I sat down and watched the movie "Barton Fink" by the always terrific Coen Brothers, and maybe I'm just in the mood to over-analyze but this film, especially towards the end, was just bursting at the seams with symbolism and meaning, I can't even think of the half of what's probably there. So that's where you guys come in, you all seem like a good bunch of people to talk about such stuff, needless to say spoiler abound so if you haven't seen the nearly 20 year old film don't read this.
These are my ramblings of what I think after viewing the film.
So as I learned before watching the Coen's actually wrote the script while they had writer's block during the writing of Miller's Crossing, which puts together the main theme of the story perfectly. The story isn't really about Barton. Barton is an allegory for the author in general, Charlie (John Goodman) is the "character," this idea came about when Charlie notes that Barton is a "traveler with a typewriter" who can leave when he pleases, Charlie can't, he's stuck there.
Another thing I noticed is that Barton is only able to complete the script once he blocks out all noise from the hotel, not to mention that he begins and ends the script the same way he did his play. Which leads me to believe Barton is a one-hit wonder of sorts, he only had one story, the one of "the common man."
Speaking of the common man, Barton himself says he's interested in the common man but never actually listens to what the common man (Charlie) has to say. Barton is as self interested as Hollywood itself and believes, in his naive manner, that he can change the industry, when the industry doesn't want to change.
Those are just a couple thoughts off the top of my head but I'll let you guys share your thoughts of the film. What does it all mean? What's in the box? Is any of the film actually real?
Also best line from the movie
"You two have a...weird sex thing?"
"Sex!? He's man! We wrestled!"
These are my ramblings of what I think after viewing the film.
So as I learned before watching the Coen's actually wrote the script while they had writer's block during the writing of Miller's Crossing, which puts together the main theme of the story perfectly. The story isn't really about Barton. Barton is an allegory for the author in general, Charlie (John Goodman) is the "character," this idea came about when Charlie notes that Barton is a "traveler with a typewriter" who can leave when he pleases, Charlie can't, he's stuck there.
Another thing I noticed is that Barton is only able to complete the script once he blocks out all noise from the hotel, not to mention that he begins and ends the script the same way he did his play. Which leads me to believe Barton is a one-hit wonder of sorts, he only had one story, the one of "the common man."
Speaking of the common man, Barton himself says he's interested in the common man but never actually listens to what the common man (Charlie) has to say. Barton is as self interested as Hollywood itself and believes, in his naive manner, that he can change the industry, when the industry doesn't want to change.
Those are just a couple thoughts off the top of my head but I'll let you guys share your thoughts of the film. What does it all mean? What's in the box? Is any of the film actually real?
Also best line from the movie
"You two have a...weird sex thing?"
"Sex!? He's man! We wrestled!"