Fargo (1996)

Leave it to the wildly inventive Coen brothers (Joel directs, Ethan produces, they both write) to concoct a fiendishly clever kidnap caper that's simultaneously a comedy of errors, a Midwestern satire, a taut suspense thriller, and a violent tale of criminal misfortune. It all begins when a hapless car salesman (played to perfection by William H. Macy) ineptly orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife. The plan goes horribly awry in the hands of bumbling bad guys Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare (one of them being described by a local girl as "kinda funny lookin'" and "not circumcised"), and the pregnant sheriff of Brainerd, Minnesota, (played exquisitely by Frances McDormand in an Oscar-winning role) is suddenly faced with a case of multiple murders. Her investigation is laced with offbeat observations about life in the rural hinterland of Minnesota and North Dakota, and Fargo embraces its local yokels with affectionate humor. At times shocking and hilarious, Fargo is utterly unique and distinctly American, bearing the unmistakable stamp of its inspired creators. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

blood stains on a white canvas

This is an original. Had you seen anything else like this before, really?

It's been said that the Coen Brothers' thriller "Fargo" seems like a foreign film, even though it was made in, and takes place in, America. I agree. The setting and the people are a very specialized and distinct sector of the country.

So much has been said about the movie. Having recently watched it again, I felt inspired to talk about it. It involves four people, really. One is gentle and intuitive (Marge), one is silent and brutal (Gaear), and the other two are complete idiots (Carl and Jerry).

"Fargo" is off the beaten path. It is not "Hollywood", and it is not something people would go to see on a Friday night for some entertaining escapism. It is unique and has a look and feel and sound all its own. And the stark landscapes are such a big part of the film.

To me this story is a tragedy, but it is also often funny and touching. It isn't a film of grand, sweeping gestures... it is one of telling details and revelations. It is a film that keeps the audience thinking, "What on Earth is going to happen next?"

I like "Fargo" a great deal because it's different. It's interesting filmmaking.

And Frances McDormand is a genuine pleasure to watch as Marge. December 12, 2008

Still Extremely Entertaining A Decade Or So Later

I saw it the first week it was out for rental 11 years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. In fact, I probably enjoy this more each time I view it. It's a sick movie, though, make no mistake about that. However, it holds a strange fascination, probably because of the odd characters.

This is NOT a true story as indicated in the movie. That's a lie. It's a fictional kidnapping-turned into murder story with a few bloody scenes, lots of profanity (most of it by Steve Buscemi) and a pure "black comedy."

Both William H. Macy and Frances McDormand have some wonderful facial expressions along with their accents. Those two and Buscemi are the lead characters and all three "are a trip." Macy is hilarious; the best character in here, in my opinion. It's also the best role, I assume, ever for McDormand who was never a big star before - or since - this movie. Her character in here, "Marge Gunderson," elevates this movie from just another modern-day crime movie, to an original.

Add to the mix of weird characters some equally-bizarre music (slow violins) and solid cinematography, and you have an "original," the best film the Coen Brothers have ever made and maybe the rest roles ever for the three main actors. This DVD gives it justice, too - it looks great! The only thing better would be a Blu-Ray release which, I assume, we'll get some day. November 23, 2008

The Best Movie Ever Made

I watch Fargo at least 3 times a year and have been doing so since it came out. It is my favorite movie of all time. If you haven't seen it, you must! November 3, 2008

Didya hear the one about the guy who couldn't afford personalized plates, so he went and changed his name to J3L2404?

Fargo is among the better efforts of the Coen Brothers. Frances McDormand won an Oscar for her portrayal of Brainerd Police Chief Marge Gunderson. It was well deserved, as she not only mastered the Midwest accent but created a complex character that was almost naive, always seeing the good in people and situations; but nevertheless, was a clever detective who relentlessly pursued criminals in spite of the fact that she was pregnant. William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi were also great in this movie. They captured the flaws and weakness in their respective characters well. The whole darn cast was excellent, and everything worked. You might be laughing at the quirky Midwest characters and their funny accents, but then you have to admire the son-of-a Gundersons.

Of the Coen Brothers' films I have seen, I felt that 'The Man Who Wasn't There' and 'Barton Fink' simply didn't work (still interesting though more like failed experiments), but 'O, Brother, Where Art Thou?' 'Raising Arizona,' and of course cult classic 'The Big Lebowski' were superb. 'Fargo' might just seem like a lot of quirks and foibles but actually there is a lot of keen observation of human behavior, and after a while all those quirks and foibles add up to very memorable characters whose stories are told in quite compelling narratives.

I also like the visual symbolism, like the statue of Paul Bunyan who not only resembles (William H. Macy) Jerome 'Jerry' Lundegaard's father-in-law, (Harve Presnell) Wade Gustafson, but also hints at the menace and mayhem to come, with his big axe poised. It is a great symbol, like the giant eyeglasses in the optometrist's office sign that looked with harsh judgment upon the characters in 'The Great Gatsby.'

The harsh Midwestern winter is another visual metaphor. At one point, it looks like a black and white map or diagram, but as the camera pulls back you see that it is merely one of the poor characters out in the snow, trying to get their car started. When someone hides the ransom money in the snow, he looks out on miles and miles of fence running along the road. The snow has obliterated any possible landmarks, and you see the futility of his plan as he tries to mark the spot with a snow scraper.

One trademark of Joel Coen is that he often pays homage to the great film director Stanley Kubrick, and 'Fargo' has a couple of examples that I will leave to the viewer to discover on his or her own. Another trademark is that they often use a lot of the same actors, and Frances McDormand and Steve Buscemi are two of their stalwarts. McDormand has been in numerous Coen films, starting with their first feature, 'Blood Simple.' Steve Buscemi has been in even more, and in most every one he dies or is killed. Besides 'Fargo' I liked him best in 'The Big Lebowski,' but it is apples and oranges to compare them, because Lebowski is more of a fantasy/comedy while 'Fargo' is a serious crime drama with quirky characters thrown in for comic relief.

Films of Joel and Ethan Coen:

No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Ladykillers (2004)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Fargo (1996)
The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
... aka Hudsucker - Der große Sprung (Germany)
Barton Fink (1991)
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Blood Simple. (1984)

William H. Macy ... Jerome 'Jerry' Lundegaard
The Cooler (2003) .... Bernie Lootz
Magnolia (1999) .... Donnie Smith
Boogie Nights (1997) .... Little Bill

Steve Buscemi ... Carl Showalter
Ghost World (2001) .... Seymour
The Big Lebowski - 10th Anniversary Edition (1998) .... Theodore Donald 'Donny' Kerabatsos
Trees Lounge (1996) .... Tommy

Frances McDormand ... Police Chief Marge Gunderson
Laurel Canyon (2002) .... Jane
Almost Famous (2000) .... Elaine Miller
Raising Arizona (1987) .... Dot

Police Chief Marge Gunderson: Say, Lou, didya hear the one about the guy who couldn't afford personalized plates, so he went and changed his name to J3L2404?
October 7, 2008

Who's the oriental guy?

I agree with the positive reviews here 100%, but apparently this must be your type of movie for this to apply - some do not get it. I notice a sub-plot that is intriguing - seemingly completely unnecessary (I'm waiting to hear the interviews) - and would like opinions from others. There's a scene where the sheriff (McDormand) meets what seems like an old friend/acquaintance from school, an oriental-looking guy - sorry can't remember his name. She meets him at the Radison I believe for lunch. Its a totally weird encounter as he begins seeming normal and progresses to trying to put the make on this obviously pregnant woman, which she skillfully rebuffs, and then turns tragic. Later in the movie McDormand talks on the phone with another school chum who fills her in that nothing the oriental guy disclosed to her as highly personal tragic info - none of it was true. He was totally deranged mentally. Like I said, its a captivating subplot, but what the Hell is it about? October 3, 2008

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