User Comments: Date: 17 October 2001
Summary: One brilliant, original, eye-catching, hilarious, compelling piece of cinema!!!
I just got finished watching this movie in my film class. This is the first
time I watched it straight-through, and I was very impressed and look
forward to watching it again sometime soon. Of course, I had to view it in
a somewhat intelligent, focused manner--indulging the way the cinematography
and setting helps tell the story, what the props symbolize, etc.--since
we're studying the movie. So I wasn't exactly kicking back on my living
room couch with a glass of soda at my side, enjoying the show. Well, I did
enjoy the show--a lot!--but in a somewhat analytical way.
I'll start off by complimenting the acting. Frances McDormand earned a
well-deserved Oscar for her performance as a pregnant police chief in this
small, quiet Minnesota town. You can say this is the role that put her on
the map, and I'm glad she's on the map, because she's a very talented
actress. William H. Macy never ceases to please, delivering a subtle
performance as a money-hungry car salesman. Just his facial expressions
alone speak a million words. Steve Buscemi is absolutely hilarious as the
talkative Carl. He's superb at anything he does, and I think this marks one
of most memorable appearances on film. Peter Stormare is subtlely
terrifying as his silent buddy. I don't think they could've picked someone
with a more piercing stare than him. At moments you actually feel as if
you're staring at the Angel of Death himself, he's so effective. His name
escapes me at the moment, but I loved the Asian guy who played McDormand's
old friend. He has one of the most hilarious scenes in the film. I
remembered him as a worker for "Rolling Stone" in "Almost Famous"--also with
McDormand in the cast. He really is good!
The cinematography is great! It really brings out the coldness (both
literally and figuratively) of the setting. The music is brilliant and
haunting. The dialogue is full of zingers that film buffs will have a field
day with. I heard that people from Minnesota wrote angry letters about the
Coens (who were actually born and raised in the state) for making fun of the
way their people talk. I know they must've exaggerated (I don't see how
anybody can talk like that without laughing at themselves), but they must've
used some element of truth. You know what they say: There has to be truth
to every joke. I didn't think there are people in the world who can be so
stoic and cheerful, even when there's a murder taking place. But one of the
girls in my class said she spent some time in the Midwest, and the people
there actually do behave a lot like the characters in "Fargo."
Nevertheless, I couldn't help but crack up every time the word "Ya" was
used. Especially in that scene where McDormand was interviewing the two
hookers. I think that scene sets the record as the one with the most "Yas"
used. If anybody was counting, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm sure the
reputation of the people of Minnesota has changed due to this movie, and I'm
sure tourists jokingly approach them with "Yas." Hey, I'm from Jersey and
talk nothing like the characters in "The Sopranos," and I'm not complaining.
I can take a joke. I think the extremely mild manner of the main
characters (minus Buscemi and Stormare) helps create an ironic tone that
contradicts the atmosphere.
"Fargo" has almost anything you can ask for in a movie. It's a dark comedy,
and in that department it's hilarious. In fact--keeping in mind that this
was marketed as a drama/thriller--I think I got more laughs out of this film
than most straight comedies I've seen. Of course, some may think you're a
sadist for laughing at certain gags, but we don't always have to laugh at
pleasant things, do we? It's a crime drama, and in that respect it's
compelling and intriguing, with some unique twists. Not giving anything
away, that wood-chipper thing--nice touch!
Should you see this movie? Ya! Ya! Darn tootin'! But if you're
squeamish, take a blindfold. It gets bloody at times.
My score: 9 (out of 10)
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