Barton Fink

A symbolic wrestling of empty narrative with expressive style, which in sum tells us nothing much and remains only a methodical contemplation of the unbearable lightness of creative (in)being. Precise performances (another iconic supporting role for John Goodman), visually really imaginative and at times almost Kafkaesque atmospheric, but insanely drawn out in the first half, providing no clues to get into the main character's strange story with sincere interest and sober attention. While I admire the Coen brothers' poetics of expression, Barton Fink is an unusually forgettable film by their standards, though the last twenty minutes, on the other hand, constitute their immortal magnum opus. I’ll gladly watch it again some day; for the time being, strong 3*. (07/03/2017)