Monday, March 05, 2007
sounds in "Barton Fink"
Per DW's instructions, I paid more attention to sound in this movie pick, so it was interesting that in the very first scene, we watch a sound man do the "fishmonger" bit for Barton's play. Though much of the film scenes, especially in the hotel, made great visuals, I thought this was supposed to be a "sound" movie, too. There were a lot of audial effects like the wind tunnel sounds in the hallways and pipes, the deliciously icky peeling paper and especially that lingering bell noise when Barton Fink checks in. In some respects it made me feel like I was watching a play where Barton Fink was trapped on a stage with colorful characters and creepy sets.
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6 comments:
I liked the bizarre noise that Fink’s hotel room door made when opening and closing. The cumulative effect of all these sounds was certainly creepy and I found that it kept me a bit off balance. This was a rather skillful way to have a horror film effect without all the hack and now well-worn devices of that genera.
And the ball rolling on the floor in close-up.
And you could almost hear the pus oozing from Meadows' infected ear (as if it were the same goo dripping from the walls).
And also the sound of Mayhew retching in the toilet when we first meet him, and the sound of him raging in his room when Barton first goes to visit — we can't see him, just hear him. And the sound of Charlie sobbing (or laughing?) in his room before Barton ever lays eyes on him. His first experience with these people is via sound, not sight.
You are right it is. That’s interesting.
That is interesting. We also never really get to see Barton's play, we just hear it from backstage.
I have nothing to add other than thank you for this analysis.
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