At first “Barton Fink” seems as if it is written in the same style as “The Big Lebowski” (also directed by the Coen brothers) but the difference is that this film has pay-offs and in my opinion is the best film I’ve seen by the Coen brothers so far.

In this film a quiet and a little nervous playwright from New York named Barton Fink (John Turturro “Transformers”), who moves to Hollywood to write for the films in the 1940s. While suffering from ‘writer’s block’, he stays in a hotel that makes the one from “The Shining” look innocent with wallpaper that is constantly falling and an employee in the lift that couldn’t be creepier. His only friend in town is Charlie Meadows (John Goodman “The Flintstones”, “King Ralph”), who lives in the room next door but maybe he isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.

John Turturro is very good as Barton Fink if the character isn’t written with as much certainty as the ‘Dude’ from “Big Lebowski”. Goodman is excellent and the twist with his character pays off in perhaps the most interesting and thrilling bit of the whole film. I also like the bellboy played by Steve Buscemi (“Desperado”) and the Hollywood executive played by Michael Lerner (“Godzilla”). I didn’t like the other writer character and his subplot. Barton is just a normal guy meeting all these larger-than-life character just like the Dude.

“Barton Fink” certainly isn’t perfect, especially with the unnecessary subplot I just mentioned but it features so many interesting moments and characters that you have to enjoy it. It’s amazing how intriguing the picture of it when a large portion of it is just shots of Barton looking depressed or confused. “Barton Fink” showcases the Coen brothers’ ability to create strong characters and a good slight spin on reality.