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Barton Fink

Play trailer Poster for Barton Fink R Released Aug 1, 1991 1h 56m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Set in 1941, an intellectual New York playwright Barton Fink (John Turturro) accepts an offer to write movie scripts in L.A. He finds himself with writer's block when required to do a B-movie script. His neighbor tries to help, but he continues to struggle as a bizarre sequence of events distracts him.
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Barton Fink

Barton Fink

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Critics Consensus

Twisty and unsettling, the Coen brothers' satirical tale of a 1940s playwright struggling with writer's block is packed with their trademark sense of humor and terrific performances from its cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer Barton Fink is one for the record books. Apr 6, 2020 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune It's at its best when young Barton Fink simply stares at a picture of a bathing beauty contemplating the ocean -- a Hollywood dream. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 16, 2013 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Gnomic, claustrophobic, hallucinatory, just plain weird, it is the kind of movie critics can soak up thousands of words analyzing and cinephiles can soak up at least three espressos arguing their way through. Oct 13, 2009 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times A gorgeously designed paranoid parable packed with sharp detail, great in-jokes and an Oscar-nominated performance by Michael Lerner as the studio mogul from hell. Rated: 4/5 Aug 19, 2025 Full Review Adrian Martin Film Critic: Adrian Martin The film has an anything-might-happen-next air and a faith in strange associative leaps that take the plot in unforeseen directions. Rated: 4/5 Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Barton Fink seems to be the best film of the year... but it dissolves without leaving a trace, turning into the biggest deception of the year. [Full review in Spanish] Dec 8, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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bob c I have tried three times to watch this over the years and each time gave up after 15-20 minutes. It’s got many top actors and the Coens at nearly peak. But it’s dreadful. It mat not be the bros worst, since they’ve made some stinkers recently. But it’s poor. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/25 Full Review Tom F B-game Coen Bros is still worth an attentive watch. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review grain j Interesting movie, many moments feel surreal or symbolistic, one of the best Coen brothers movies Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Mitch B An atmospheric and emotional story and it's weird but sooo immersive. I liked John Goodman's performance. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Jacob B L.A. noir as only the Brothers could conjure. One of the Cohen Brothers very best! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/03/25 Full Review Audience Member My new favourite movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Barton Fink

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Cast & Crew

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Joel Coen

Director

John Turturro

Barton Fink

John Goodman

Charlie Meadows

Judy Davis

Audrey Taylor

Michael Lerner

Jack Lipnick

John Mahoney

W.P. Mayhew

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Barton Fink

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Movie Info

Synopsis Set in 1941, an intellectual New York playwright Barton Fink (John Turturro) accepts an offer to write movie scripts in L.A. He finds himself with writer's block when required to do a B-movie script. His neighbor tries to help, but he continues to struggle as a bizarre sequence of events distracts him.
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen, Graham Place
Screenwriter
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Circle Films, Inc., Working Title Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 1, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.66:1)
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