Fargo

With all the sorry films these days it is good to see a movie as funny, wicked, dramatic, and utterly demented as "Fargo". It's one of those films that you just have to see. William H. Macy gives an Oscar-nominated performance as a car salesman who hires two thugs (one a know-it-all-know-nothing and the other a demented psychopath) to kidnap his wife so that he can keep half the ransom from her well-off father. Needless to say nothing goes right and Brainerd sheriff Frances McDormand (in an Oscar-winning role) comes in to save the day. I won't give anything away because the material is too good to tell those who haven't seen this inventive film. "Fargo" was ranked on the 100 Greatest Films list in 1996 and it was well-deserved. In this age of by-the-numbers film making, this film was a refreshing flashback to the risk-taking style that made the 1970s such a great decade for movies. 5 stars out of 5.

Some may argue that this film is too violent. Some may say that this film is offensive to those who live in Minnesota or North Dakota due to the exaggerated accents. Nevertheless, this film is superb in that it has just the right amount of mix between comedy, horror, and police procedural antics. I recommend it because it does flow well, and you get to appreciate the talents and commitment the actors put into this film. Rewatching this in 2023, I have come to appreciate why this has become a cult classic that has spawned its own TV series dating back to 2014, with a season 5 just dropped, paying homage to the movie with neat Easter eggs. If you enjoy the TV series, you'll do yourself a favor with a rewatch of this one.

Fargo is a great piece of movie. It has a strong story and a strong cast. It's down to earth and believable.

Jerry Lundegaard is in some trouble. He hires two small time crocks from Fargo to kidnap his wife. The plan is for her father to pay off and for Jerry to take the money. Things don't exactly goes as planned as they kill three people and get a pregnant Chief on their tail.

The Coen brothers have does a terrific job on this movie. It's a well written, original story with an original setting and it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. Just a few characters, a simple plot and small scale. They stay away of clichés and don't even remotely try to mix in anything of that regular Hollywood crap. They manage to capture the mood, the people and the action pretty good. The characters are great, they're reasonable and believable. They manage to keep it serious, but not too serious and put inn a joke here and there.

The actors are great. They way they manage to put on a happy smile and make it seem polite and a little, but not all too false in a great way. William H. Macy is great as Jerry Lundegaard. He gives a little nervous, kind of boy scout performance and it fits perfect. Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare makes two great small time losers. Buscemi is great as a small, funny looking, constant talking bad guy and Stormare fits the big silent, violent, psychopath type really good and they act these characters all the way out. Kristin Rudrüd does a good job as Jean Lundegaard and Harve Presnell as the rich dad is always a winner.

The cinematography is good. All of the shots are good looking and some of them are original, cool and extra good looking. All of the shots are well composed, the lightning is good, but not much out of the ordinary. There are a nice play with the colors in some shots involving the snow.

The score is really nice. The theme is a little sad and so is the movie. It's moody and supports the action and fits the settings very well. It's used in a classical way between the action and that works very well, it makes the action seem more real and more close.

Fargo is a original movie out of the ordinary. The story is good, well written and it's well brought to life and captured. The Coen brothers has made a timeless and very enjoyable movie. See it!

Jerry Lundegaard is sick of working for his father in law, sick of his wife, and decides it's time to get rid of his challenging relatives, he employs hitmen, but things don't go according to plan.

Fargo is one of those films that didn't finish with time, arguably it gets better with subsequent viewings. Yes it's a thriller, but it's way too comical to be a straight up action thriller, the humour is prevelant throughout, it's a black comedy, and for my money, it's one of the best of them, some of the situations are outrageous.

It's almost a little surreal at times, let's be clear, this is not based on any real life events, what it is however is thoroughly entertaining. It will make you want to watch the TV series.

I will never tire of hearing the word 'Marge,' and if you're watching for the first time, you'll hear it a lot, you'll also hear some curious accents.

Very well acted, William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi nailed it for me.

I'd have gone crazy at that lake too!

8/10.

With no major stars or well-known names, the actors outshine many more familiar personages. The story is well thought out. The criminals don't try to ingratiate themselves with the audience which adds to its reality. The acting is most convincing and the writing is excellent. Even the cold of a North Dakota winter comes across. Every film course should make use of this movie to demonstrate how to make a very good film without relying on a bottomless budget.