We honor Rob Reiner, then dig into three films that wrestle with voice, identity, and the cost of creating for an audience. We grade Adaptation, Barton Fink, and American Fiction across plot, performance, visuals, sound, and theme, comparing where each film bends and where it holds its line. • adapting form to theme in Adaptation • twin dynamics as creative conflict • third‑act pivots and genre conventions • hotel as psyche in Barton Fink • production design as character • authenticity, mark...