
Jim Long
The Coen Bro strike movie gold with a surreal, Roman a' clef romp through old Hollywood populated by their typically vivid cast of characters. John Turturro portrays Barton Fink, a thinly-disguised version of Clifford Odets who's been lured to write a wrestling picture for a Louie B. Mayer-like studio head. Fink is constantly distracted, first becoming involved with the mistress of another scribe--a wailing drunk, based on William Faulkner, hilariously realized by the late John Mahoney. All the while, Fink is housed in a seedy hotel where his neighbor, an overwrought salesman(the brilliant John Goodman) bumps about his room at night further distracting Fink from his task of delivering a script. It may not sound like it, but the Coens fashion some fascinating stuff out of this concoction. Highly recommended.
2 people found this review helpful

Alex J
Under-rated, but absolutely worth seeing. A very strange tale, and not the typical Coen bros. film, but fantastic nonetheless.