Barton Fink (1991) - Quotes

Strange Realities Within and Without

Taglines: There's only one thing stranger than what's going on inside his head. What's going on outside.

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Hollywood's Place Between Heaven and Hell

Taglines: Between Heaven and Hell There's Always Hollywood!

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Consequences of Trust and Responsibility

Barton: I'm sorry if I let you down.

Jack: You didn't let me down Fink, or even Lou. We don't live or die by what you scribble. You let Ben Geisler down. He liked you, trusted you... and that's why he's gone, he's fired. That man had a heart as big as the all outdoors and you fucked him.

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Unproductive Discussion Among Characters

Deutsch: [questioning Fink about Mundt] What else?

Barton: Trying to think. Nothing, really. He... he said he liked Jack Oakie pictures.

Mastrionotti: You know, ordinarily we say anything you might remember could be helpful. But I'll be frank with you, Fink. That is not helpful.

Deutsch: Notice how he's not writing it down?

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Seeking Guidance Among Fellow Writers

Geisler: Look, you confused? You need guidance? Talk to another writer.

Barton: Who?

Geisler: Jesus, throw a rock in here, you'll hit one. And do me a favor, Fink: throw it hard.

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Investigation of a Missing Doctor's Case

Mastrionotti: Started in Kansas City. Couple of housewives.

Deutsch: Couple days ago we see the same M.O. out in Los Feliz.

Mastrionotti: Doctor. Ear, nose and throat man.

Deutsch: All of which he's now missin'.

Mastrionotti: Well, some of his throat was there.

Deutsch: Physician, heal thyself.

Mastrionotti: Good luck with no fuckin head.

Deutsch: Anyway.

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Discussion on Writing for Film

Mastrionotti: What do you do, Fink?

Barton: I write.

Deutsch: Oh yeah? What kind of write?

Barton: Well, as a matter of fact I write for the pictures.

Mastrionotti: Big fuckin deal.

Deutsch: You want my partner to kiss your ass?

Mastrionotti: Would that be good enough for you?

Barton: No, I - I didn't mean to sound...

Deutsch: What did you mean?

Barton: I - I've got respect for - for working guys, like you...

Mastrionotti: Jesus! Ain't that a load off!

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The Struggle Between Authenticity and Artifice

Charlie: I could tell you some stories...

Barton: Sure you could and yet many writers do everything in their power to insulate themselves from the common man, from where they live, from where they trade, from where they fight and love and converse and...So naturally their work suffers and regresses into empty formalism and... well I'm spouting off again, but to put it in your language, the theatre becomes as phony as a three-dollar bill!

Charlie: Well I guess that's a tragedy right there!

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Discussion on Familiarity with the Bible

Barton: Have you read the Bible, Pete?

Pete: Holy Bible?

Barton: Yeah.

Pete: Yeah, I think so. Anyway, I've heard about it.

Casting for a Western Film

Geisler: Ever act?

Barton: ...Huh? No, I'm—

Geisler: We need Indians for a Norman Steele western.

Barton: I'm a writer. Ted O—

Geisler: Think about it, Fink. Writers come and go; we always need Indians.

Understanding Pain in Different Contexts

Charlie Meadows: C'mon, Barton, you think you know about pain? You think I made your life hell? Take a look around this dump. You're just a tourist with a typewriter, Barton, I live here, don't you understand that? And you come into MY home... and you complain that I'M making too... much... noise.

Exploring the Life of the Mind

Charlie Meadows: Look upon me! I'll show you the life of the mind! I'll show you the life of the mind!

Defending the Value of B Pictures

Jack Lipnik: Look, Bart, barring a preference we're going to put you to work on a wrestling picture, Wallace Beery. I say this because they tell me you know the poetry of the streets, so that would rule out westerns, pirate pictures, screwball, Bible, Roman... look, I'm not one of those guys who thinks poetic has got to be fruity. We're together on that, aren't we? I mean I'm from New York myself, well, Minsk if you want to go all the way back. Which we won't, if you don't mind and I ain't asking. Now people are going to say to you, Wallace Beery, wrestling, it's a B picture. You tell them: BULLSHIT! We do NOT make B pictures here at Capitol. Let's put a stop to that rumor RIGHT now!

The Essence of Storytelling in Film

Jack Lipnik: We're only interested in one thing, Bart. Can you tell a story? Can you make us laugh? Can you make us cry? Can you make us want to break out in joyous song? Is that more than one thing? Okay!

Showmanship and Authority in Hollywood

Jack Lipnik: I run this dump, and I don't know the technical mumbo-jumbo. Why do I run it? Cause I got horse sense, goddamit. SHOWMANSHIP! And also, and I hope Lou told you this, I am bigger and meaner and louder than any other kike in this town. Did you tell him that, Lou? And I don't mean my dick is bigger than yours, it's not a sexual thing, although you're the writer, you'd know more about that. Coffee?