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Barton Fink (1991)

R  |   |  Comedy, Drama  |  21 August 1991 (USA)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 82,273 users   Metascore: 69/100
Reviews: 216 user | 107 critic | 19 from Metacritic.com

A renowned New York playwright is enticed to California to write for the movies and discovers the hellish truth of Hollywood.

Directors:

, (uncredited)

Writers:

,
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Title: Barton Fink (1991)

Barton Fink (1991) on IMDb 7.7/10

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 11 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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David Warrilow ...
Garland Stanford
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I.M. Hobson ...
Derek
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Poppy Carnahan (as Megan Faye)
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Richard St. Claire
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Pete
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Storyline

In 1941, New York intellectual playwright Barton Fink comes to Hollywood to write a Wallace Beery wrestling picture. Staying in the eerie Hotel Earle, Barton develops severe writer's block. His neighbor, jovial insurance salesman Charlie Meadows, tries to help, but Barton continues to struggle as a bizarre sequence of events distracts him even further from his task. Written by Scott Renshaw <as.idc@forsythe.stanford.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

There's only one thing stranger than what's going on inside his head. What's going on outside. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some scenes of violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

21 August 1991 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Barton Fink - Delírios de Hollywood  »

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$6,153,939 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Turturro took classes at a secretarial school to learn how to use a typewriter for the role. Between takes, he wrote a rough outline for Romance & Cigarettes (2005) on the typewriter he used in the film. See more »

Goofs

The hand that Chet uses to stop the bell ringing. See more »

Quotes

Jack Lipnick: I run this dump, and I don't know the technical mumbo-jumbo. Why do I run it? Cause I got horse sense goddamit, SHOWMANSHIP! And also I hope Lou told you this, I am bigger and meaner and louder than any other kike in this town. Did you tell him that Lou? And I don't mean my dick is bigger than yours, it's not a sexual thing. You're a writer, you know more about that. Coffee?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Böcek (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

DOWN SOUTH CAMP MEETING
by Irving Mills and Fletcher Henderson
Published by Mills Music, Inc.
Courtesy of EMI Music Publishing
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Memorable, disturbing, and very Coen-esque!
30 May 1999 | by (Perth, Australia) – See all my reviews

I'm still not entirely sure what to think of this film. One thing is sure, it won't be easy to forget. This movie is clearly the product of a writer who has struggled with their muse, and equally one who has a healthy mistrust of Hollywood - the sausage grinder. Although Hollywood has been critiqued in film before in similar ways, memorable scenes, clever dialogue, quality acting, and a surreal plot and setting, add together to make this an unusual and different film. Maybe another viewing might add a different dimension. This is by no means 'light entertainment' and it leaves plenty of questions unanswered. But on the whole, an intelligent movie, if something of an enigma. My vote 7/10


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