1991
Celebrated playwright Barton Fink moves to Hollywood, where he struggles with writer's block and befriends his neighbor Charlie Meadows, secretly a serial killer. After Audrey Taylor is found dead in Barton's bed, Charlie disposes of the body, and detectives later reveal Charlie's true identity as Karl Mundt, who has been sending Barton packages containing victims' heads. Barton finishes his wrestling script, but the studio head rejects it as unfilmable and condemns him to a lifetime contract without writing. The film concludes with Barton sitting on a beach, holding a box that presumably contains Audrey's head, mirroring a painting from his hotel room.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Barton Fink leaves his successful New York play for a Hollywood studio assignment, encountering strange hotel neighbors and writerly challenges.
Open full beat sheetBarton Fink is listed as Playwright / Screenwriter. Bespectacled, bookish man in his thirties, idealistic about the common man. In the parsed data, Barton Fink is connected to 30 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
30 scenes / 26 dialogue linesCharlie Meadows is listed as Insurance Salesman / Neighbor. Very large man, friendly, neighbor to Barton, secretly a serial killer. In the parsed data, Charlie Meadows is connected to 7 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
7 scenes / 16 dialogue linesAudrey Taylor is listed as Mayhew's Secretary. Mayhew's personal secretary and lover. In the parsed data, Audrey Taylor is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesW.P. Mayhew is listed as Novelist / Screenwriter. Distinguished, alcoholic, struggling writer. In the parsed data, W.P. Mayhew is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJack Lipnik is listed as Studio Head of Capitol Pictures. Burly, aggressive, powerful studio executive. In the parsed data, Jack Lipnik is connected to 3 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
3 scenes / 10 dialogue linesBen Geisler is listed as Producer. Hostile, cynical producer. In the parsed data, Ben Geisler is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesChet is listed as Hotel Earle Night Clerk. Young man in a faded maroon uniform. In the parsed data, Chet is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGarland Stanford is listed as Barton's Agent. Ten percenter, pragmatic. In the parsed data, Garland Stanford is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBarton Fink watches the end of his play from the wings, feeling dazed by the applause.
Barton FinkBarton celebrates his play's success with his agent and associates, then discusses a Hollywood offer.
Barton Fink, Garland StanfordBarton checks into the Hotel Earle and meets the night clerk, Chet.
Barton Fink, ChetBarton settles into his room and hears strange noises from the next room.
Barton FinkBarton meets studio head Jack Lipnik to discuss his new assignment.
Barton Fink, Jack LipnikBarton complains about the noise, leading to a meeting with his neighbor, Charlie Meadows.
Barton Fink, Charlie MeadowsBarton seeks advice from producer Ben Geisler.
Barton Fink, Ben GeislerBarton encounters W.P. Mayhew in the hotel bathroom and they discuss writing.
Barton Fink, W.P. MayhewBarton visits Mayhew's bungalow and meets Audrey Taylor.
Barton Fink, W.P. Mayhew, Audrey TaylorBarton attempts to fix his wallpaper and is visited by Charlie.
Barton Fink, Charlie MeadowsBarton finds a wad of cotton in the sink.
Barton FinkBarton meets Mayhew and Audrey for a meal.
Barton Fink, W.P. Mayhew, Audrey TaylorCharlie visits Barton again to return shoes.
Barton Fink, Charlie MeadowsGeisler confronts Barton about his lack of progress.
Barton Fink, Ben GeislerBarton watches wrestling films.
Barton FinkBarton calls Audrey for help.
Barton Fink, Audrey TaylorBarton calls Audrey for help while Mayhew is drunk and belligerent in the background.
Barton Fink, Audrey Taylor, W.P. MayhewAudrey arrives at Barton's room to help him with his script.
Barton Fink, Audrey TaylorBarton wakes up to find Audrey dead in bed.
Barton Fink, Audrey TaylorCharlie checks on Barton; Barton hides the body.
Barton Fink, Charlie Meadows, ChetBarton meets with Lipnik.
Barton Fink, Jack Lipnik, Ben GeislerCharlie says goodbye to Barton.
Barton Fink, Charlie MeadowsBarton writes his script.
Barton FinkDetectives question Barton about Charlie.
Barton FinkBarton dances manically.
Barton FinkBarton dances maniacally at a USO hall, gets into a confrontation with a sailor and the crowd, and is punched by an infantryman.
Barton FinkBarton returns to his room to find detectives Mastrionotti and Deutsch waiting. They interrogate him about Mayhew and Mundt.
Barton FinkMastrionotti and Deutsch investigate the hallway, encounter Pete the elevator man, and are confronted by Charlie.
Charlie MeadowsCharlie enters Barton's room, explains his actions, and frees Barton from the handcuffs.
Barton Fink, Charlie MeadowsBarton meets with Lipnik, who rejects his script and tells him he is under contract but will not be allowed to write.
Barton Fink, Jack LipnikBarton walks on the beach and encounters a woman who looks like the bathing beauty from his room.
Barton FinkYou didn't let ME down. Or even Lou. We don't live or die by what you scribble, Fink. You let Ben Geisler down. He liked you. Trusted you. And that's why he's gone. Fired. That guy had a heart as big as the outdoors, and you fucked him. He tried to convince me to fire you too, but that would be too easy. No, you're under contract and you're gonna stay that way. Anything you write will be the property of Capitol Pictures. And Capitol Pictures will not produce anything you write. Not until you grow up a little. You ain't no writer, Fink - you're a goddamn write-off.
...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.
Mr. Fink, I'm Audrey Taylor, Mr. Mayhew's personal secretary. I know this all must sound horrid. I really do apologize...
I'm a writer, you monsters! I CREATE! ...This is my uniform! ...THIS is how I serve the common man! THIS is where I...
Capitol Pictures wants to put you under contract. They've offered you a thousand dollars a week.
...Anyway, I had Lou read your script for me. ...I gotta tell you, Fink. It won't wash.
How you been, buddy? ...Don't look at me like that, neighbor. It's just me - Charlie.
I guess I write about people like you. The average working stiff. The common man.
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