Surely they're treating the notion of "selling out"—and the idea that Fink's political art is any good at all—with irony, though?
-
-
Sure, they're treating everything with irony because they're the Coen Bros. They tell their selling-out story ironically to avoid any risk they could in turn sell out by having something sincere to lose. Simple 90s-culture math.
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
I think that's one layer of it but I feel like it's impossible not to read Barton (and by extension Clifford Odets) as a deluded buffoon, and his fear of selling out as a red herring. I think they were ahead of the "selling out is actually ok" cultural curve!
2 replies 0 retweets 3 likes -
I think it's smarter to bet the Coens loved & respected Clifford Odets and thought it would be a great tribute to write a version of him as a deluded buffoon. (The Llewyn Davis parallel is good: It would be misreading that movie to say it's about how dumb folk music was.)
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
Fair, but I think Fink is much more obviously satirized than Davis
2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @evankindley @carlzoilus and
also Davis (as far as I can recall?) is apolitical; that appears to be one of the things they like about him?
2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Davis literally doesn't know what a Shachtmanite is. Not sure if we're supposed to admire that -- it's part of him being isolated and misanthropic.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Hmm not sure… it could just be a sign of him not getting caught up in pedantic micro-distinctions? (Cards on the table, I don't know what a Shactmanite is either)
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Well if you were in a union (as Davis tries to be) or part of political music circle in early 60s you'd know what a Shachtmanite is! The point is Davis is a natural isolate, a loner, which cuts him off from solidarity of music & politics (he lost partner & refuses to join band)
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
Yeah I agree with your point about his characterization, just uncertain about implied authorial attitude
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
I don't think isoalted individualism or separatism is something they admire -- there positive characters always participate in fellowship (in family or collaborative efforts).
-
-
Maybe! (Not convinced they admire anyone)
0 replies 0 retweets 1 likeThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.