You're doing it to make the character as specific as possible, so that it's a specific individual that you're talking about, not that whole class of people.

Quote by Joel Coen

Topics: Joel Coen Quotes

Barton Fink got written very quickly, in about three weeks. I don't know what that...

Barton Fink got written very quickly, in about three weeks. I don't know what that...

These things are hard to pin down. We work on a script a bit, then...

These things are hard to pin down. We work on a script a bit, then...

We don't have any rules about how we depict violence, or how much violence is...

We don't have any rules about how we depict violence, or how much violence is...

We have an uncanny ability to make birds do what we want them to do....

We have an uncanny ability to make birds do what we want them to do....

We create monsters and then we can't control them.

We create monsters and then we can't control them.

I guess there's a certain amount of poking fun at certain characters, but that's because...

I guess there's a certain amount of poking fun at certain characters, but that's because...

I couldn't have been happier with the relationship we had with Disney, it couldn't have...

I couldn't have been happier with the relationship we had with Disney, it couldn't have...

It's a funny thing because you look at the careers of other filmmakers, and you...

It's a funny thing because you look at the careers of other filmmakers, and you...

The point at which we worked with some of these actors, they weren't really stars...

The point at which we worked with some of these actors, they weren't really stars...

We've been remarkably lucky in that we've been free to make the movies we've wanted...

We've been remarkably lucky in that we've been free to make the movies we've wanted...

I guess everything having to do with your background has some influence on how you...

I guess everything having to do with your background has some influence on how you...

Other kinds of movie stars, it's a different thing, they bring their persona to the...

Other kinds of movie stars, it's a different thing, they bring their persona to the...

Sometimes, in certain stories, I think we know at the outset essentially what the tone...

Sometimes, in certain stories, I think we know at the outset essentially what the tone...

Our mother was a very religious and observant Jew, our father less so. She was...

Our mother was a very religious and observant Jew, our father less so. She was...

The characters are the result of two things-first, we elaborate them into fairly well-defined people...

The characters are the result of two things-first, we elaborate them into fairly well-defined people...

I'd be perfectly happy never to have to answer anything again about how I work...

I'd be perfectly happy never to have to answer anything again about how I work...

If the material is challenging, it forces you to challenge yourself when handling it.

If the material is challenging, it forces you to challenge yourself when handling it.

People that have been interested in our work for awhile... those are the last people...

People that have been interested in our work for awhile... those are the last people...

The question is: Where would it get you if something that's a little bit ambiguous...

The question is: Where would it get you if something that's a little bit ambiguous...

Usually, I don't want to sit down and listen to the director gas on about...

Usually, I don't want to sit down and listen to the director gas on about...