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Barton Fink (R1)
DVD Review: "I'm a writer, you monsters. I create for a living! I create! And this is my uniform!" – Barton Fink
Synopsis
John Turturro shines in the lead role in Barton Fink the Coen Brothers' hilarious satire set in the 1940s Hollywood. Fink is a New York playwright who reluctantly relocates to Hollywood to write screenplays. Ordered to write a low budget screenplay about wrestling, Fink manages to type one sentence and then...nothing! Although his chatty insurance salesman neighbor Charlie (John Goodman) helps out by teaching Fink about wrestling, the clock ticks, the temperature rises, and Fink's life spins more and more out of control.
Critique
Barton Fink is the ultimate metaphor for Hollywood (more on this later). The film is also kind of writer’s block itself. I’m not sure if anyone else will agree, but once Fink types those sentences on the typewriter and gets stuck; the film gets stuck, too – in a subplot, that is. Fink meets famous novelist W.P. Mayhew (John Mahoney) and seeks his guidance for writing the wrestling script for Capital Pictures. There’s one scene in particular that just goes on a little too long for my taste. It’s the one taking place at the park with Fink, Mayhew, and Mayhew’s wife Audrey (Judy Davis). I guess it serves as a set-up for Fink’s interest in Audrey as they become involved in more than just a few ways. This is only a minimal concern of mine about the film.
Going back to the Hollywood metaphor, Barton Fink’s tagline suggests "“Between Heaven and Hell There's Always Hollywood." In this case it is true. Several things indicate references to Hell (or shall we say, Hotel Earle?), such as the peeling of the walls every time Charlie walks in or out of Fink’s room. Other indications include Chet’s entrance, the word “six” repeated three times when Fink takes the elevator to his room, the fire at the end, etc. Barton Fink is subtle and quiet like the main character; Turturro’s performance is right on target.
The other major performance is a riot; yes, I’m talking about Mr. Goodman. He plays Charlie, Fink’s neighbor. They share a lot of scenes and hold the movie together like bread and butter (that’s supposed to sound like a good thing, sorry if it doesn’t). Turturro and Goodman share great chemistry in a funny way. Their characters are so different, but the dialogue between them is really great. Now is a good time to say the script is also really good. It’s the dialogue that keeps the film alive more than anything. The premise wouldn’t work without the words of the Coen Bros. It’s worth mentioning their sense of detail and accuracy in making Barton Fink; everything seems to be neatly crafted. Roger Deakins’ cinematography and Carter Burwell’s score serve the film real well. What’s left to say is the Coen Bros. never seize to amaze.
8 out of 10
The Video
Barton Fink is presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen. The print shows its age a little bit, but this transfer cleans it up rather nicely. While not perfect, Barton Fink looks better than ever. Prior to this release the film was only available on VHS in fullscreen format and low picture quality. Now, scratches and dirt are partially gone except for a few occasions when the print appeared its age. The film’s color palette is nice and subdued, especially the hotel scenes. Dark tones are fair and black level is average. Overall, Barton Fink looks good, but not great.
7 out of 10
The Audio
Barton Fink is available in English Dolby Digital Stereo, which basically means all sound is emitted from only the two front speakers. Either the resources for reproducing the sound for a Dolby Digital 5.1 transfer are unavailable or someone didn’t think Barton Fink needed to sound great. The film is reliant on some sound effects and sound design. Carter Burwell’s score is an important aspect of Barton Fink. Dialog scenes are clear and the front speakers get it all out nicely, but that’s it. Surround usage is nonexistent, which is kind of a shame. The film might not seem like an important release to some, but I think it needs more punch than it displays now. Barton Fink is also available in Spanish and French Digital Mono.
6 out of 10
The Extras
Deleted Scenes – There’s eight of them, but most are actually extended scenes. Except for two completely new scenes, the rest include just a little more dialogue. Takes that are in the movie are presented in black and white, while the deleted takes/scenes are presented in color so we can distinguish them. That’s a nice touch. An optional commentary to explain the reasons for cutting these would have been very nice.
There’s also a Still Gallery and Trailers for Barton Fink, Miller’s Crossing and Raising Arizona. You can select to view the film with optional English and Spanish subtitles. The DVD’s menus are not animated, except for the burning hallway serving as main menu’s cool background. The 116-minute feature is organized into twenty-nine chapters.
3 out of 10 Overall
Barton Fink is a Coen Bros. classic and every avid moviegoer or film fan should check this one out, not to mention the writers who face writer’s block themselves. The DVD is without any substantial extras, but that shouldn’t keep anyone from seeing the film. The video and audio presentation is not very good, but at least way better than the VHS version. Another reason to see the film is for Turturro and Goodman (by the way, I would love to see a Quintana and Walter bowling match-up). Barton Fink comes recommended. Rent it as soon as possible.
RATINGS SUMMARY
THE MOVIE
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