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

The Coen brothers have come a long way from their start with an 8mm camera. They have written and produced some great homages to the film noir era of Hollywood, and this film is no exception.

First, is the great dialog written by the brothers. Great dialog is a feature of their films, and this one has some of the most memorable I have heard. You can almost turn off the visual and just listen and be enchanted and know you are listening to a Coen brothers film.

But turning off the visual would deprive you of the great cinematography of Roger Deakins. His can frame a scene to the point that you could pause the film and just soak in the texture and color and realism. It is almost as if every frame is a painting.

The Coen brothers also seem to get the best performances out of an actor that I have seen. John Goodman is brilliant in this film and he seems to do his best work for the Coens. John Turturro is captivating as the hack writer who talks about his love for the common man, but just really doesn't know the common man and really doesn't care about them. Michael Lerner was brilliant as the requisite man behind the desk that is the feature of 40's noir.

One doesn't always know what is in the Coen brothers minds. Is this a foretelling of the rise of Nazism, of intellectuals who really didn't understand the appeal of fascism to the common man, or a surreal portrait of someone who sells out. No matter what their intention, they make you think and return to see their films again and again.

It's 1941. Barton Fink (John Turturro)'s Broadway play 'Bare Ruined Choirs' is a great critical success. His agent gets him hired as a writer for Capitol Pictures in Hollywood. He hopes for something more profound and the money could help. He checks into the ocean-side Hotel Earle. Chet (Steve Buscemi) is the hotel clerk. Studio boss Jack Lipnick (Michael Lerner) is exceedingly excited. He tries to write but he's distracted by the noise coming from next door. He complains and boisterous salesman Charlie Meadows (John Goodman) brings over a drink. He struggles to write and gets distracted.

The Coen brothers always march to their own drums. Sometimes I love them. Sometimes I'm perplexed by them. Always, I'm fascinated by them. The stuff at the studio meanders and I struggle to hold on to the various characters. On the other hand, I love the surrealism of the hotel. I would have love the movie more by staying at the hotel after meeting Lipnick. John Goodman is amazing. It's a great demented buddy relationship.