903. FARGO (1996)

Running Time: 98 minutes
Directed By: Joel Coen
Written By: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Main Cast: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell
Click here to view the trailer

BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

Yesterday I noted in my "Salvador" review that it had been ten films in a row since I rated a film over '7'. I also guaranteed that the next review I wrote would change my losing streak and on that note, I bring you "Fargo" - a personal favorite of mine for a while now.

The plot revolves around Jerry Lundegaard (Macy), a car salesman in serious debt, who hires two men, Carl (Buscemi) and Gaear (Stormare) to kidnap his wife. His plan is that once his wife is kidnapped by the two slimy perpetrators, his father-in-law, Wade (Presnell), will provide the kidnappers with their requested ransom money. The kidnappers are to receive $40,000 for their deed, but Jerry plans to tell Wade that they're requesting $80,000, so that he can skim some off the top, before paying off the kidnappers and getting his wife back - "no rough stuff". However, things go awry when Carl and Gaear are forced to murder a suspecting policeman and two passersby. The kidnappers get cranky and decide that they want the full $80,000 from Jerry, but that's okay because Jerry ACTUALLY requested $1 million from Wade. Enter Marge Gunderson (McDormand), a pregnant policewoman with keen policing skills, who looks to nab the murderers and is lead closer and closer to Jerry Lundegaard's doorstep in the process.

SPOILER ALERT!

Thank God for good films and good filmmaker's. I was starting to forget that old feeling - the feeling of watching a great movie and realizing, before it even finishes, that it's going to receive a perfect '10'.  However, if you're one of the few who doesn't like "Fargo", I guess I could understand that opinion. In fact, the first time I ever watched this one, I didn't like it either. It wasn't until repeated viewing that I started to come around and get closer and closer to realizing the greatness that it wields. So what's so great about "Fargo" and why do I love it?

*The cast - There's no denying the fantastic cast that comes together to showcase their talents and add to the already fantastic script. Frances McDormand picked up an Oscar for her role as Marge Gunderson and rightfully so. William H. Macy was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, but had it stolen away by Cuba Gooding Jr., a crime that should've been punishable by jail time. If you ever begin to question that acting talents of Macy, just pop in "Fargo" and it should all come flooding back to you. And hey, I haven't even mentioned Buscemi and Stormare, who are also both fine - although Stormare barely speaks, so I guess he doesn't deserve as much praise as the other three key players.

*"Fargo" also does a fantastic job of mixing genres and smearing together elements of comedy, noir, thriller, murder mystery and drama. It seems like every time the scene changes, so does the mood of the film and you really have to be a versatile movie watcher to be able to keep up with the different elements. Take, for instance, the scene where Wade and Carl meet for the exchange - a really gritty, noir-like scene that utilizes music and atmosphere to their fullest advantages. That look on Wade's face after he's been shot is priceless and the music perfectly in sync. Then you get scenes with Buscemi and Stormare arguing in the car about what they're going to eat for breakfast - one wants pancakes, the other wants a shot and a steak - a very comedic scene. I spoke yesterday about "Salvador" and it's attempt to mix comedy in the midst of a serious film and how it didn't work. Here, the Coens show Olive Stone how it's done, blending everything together in sublime harmony.

*The setting - There's something about the setting - Minneapolis, Fargo, the snow, the common folk and their "Minnesota Nice" slang - that really give this film an eeriness. It reminds you that evil doers and their plots and schemes can exist anywhere and that even though this film isn't based on a true story, it certainly could be. In fact, maybe that's why the Coens posted that false notice at the beginning of the film. It's said that they posted it because they felt if audiences believed that the movie were true, then they'd be open to buying into a more ludicrous plot. The cold and snow also play a major part in "Fargo", with the weather almost taking on a life of it's own. There's something about films set in extreme heat or extreme cold that really appeal to me, especially if the director can make you feel what the characters are feeling. For example, I always feel so suffocated when I watch "12 Angry Men", watching these twelve guys in a sweltering hot jury room. "Fargo" uses the same method, only the opposite.

There may be a few other reasons, but those are the primary reasons why I love "Fargo". I've mentioned before that I always have a hard time writing about film's that I've previously been close to and "Fargo" is no exception. A film grows on you so much and so strong, that you forget to pay attention to why you're digging it and just dig it. The longer you're familiar with a film, the harder it becomes to explain why it initially appealed to you.

RATING: 10/10  For the curious, the #1 spot of the next TOP 20 is currently being fought over by this, "Stranger Than Paradise", "Barry Lyndon", "A Fish Called Wanda", "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Terms of Endearment".

MOVIES WATCHED: 571
MOVIES LEFT TO WATCH: 430

November 4, 2012  7:40pm