Fargo is a 1996 black comedy crime film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant Minnesota police chief investigating a triple homicide that takes place after a desperate car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife to extort a hefty ransom from her wealthy father. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning particular acclaim for the Coens' direction and script and the performances of McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi.
It is considered one of the Coen Brothers' best films and has become a cult classic. It has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and won two Academy Awards for Best Actress (McDormand) and Best Original Screenplay (Joel and Ethan Coen).
Plot
Fargo is a dark comedy crime film that tells the story of Jerry Lundegaard, a car salesman in Minneapolis who hires two criminals, Carl Showalter and Gaer Grimsrud, to kidnap his wife and demand ransom from her wealthy father to solve his financial problems. However, things quickly spiral out of control, and three people end up dead. The film follows the investigation of the case by Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief from Brainerd, Minnesota, who is determined to solve the case.
Meanwhile, Jerry Lundegaard is struggling to keep his story straight and avoid suspicion. The criminals, Carl and Gaer, are on the run and trying to get out of the state. Marge eventually tracks down the criminals and arrests them. Jerry is also arrested and confesses to his involvement in the crime. The film ends with Marge and her husband discussing the case and the upcoming birth of their child. Fargo is a unique and memorable film that combines dark humor, violence, and memorable characters to tell a compelling story. The film has become a cult classic and is considered one of the Coen Brothers' best works.
Trailer
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Cast
- Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson
- William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard
- Steve Buscemi as Carl Showalter
- Peter Stormare as Gaear Grimsrud
- Harve Presnell as Wade Gustafson
- Kristin Rudrüd as Jean Lundegaard
- Tony Denman as Scotty Lundegaard
- Larry Brandenburg as Stan Grossman
- Steve Reevis as Shep Proudfoot
Director: Joel Coen
Writer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Box Office USA: $60,611,975
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery & thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1996
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2015
Theme
The film explores themes of greed, desperation, and the consequences of criminal behavior. The film also satirizes Midwestern culture and accents, as well as the media's sensationalism of crime stories.
Reception
Fargo was a critical and commercial success, receiving widespread acclaim for its dark humor, memorable characters, and unique visual style. The film won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Production Challenges
The Coen brothers faced several challenges during the production of "Fargo," including harsh weather conditions during filming in Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as difficulty finding the right actors for certain roles. Additionally, the filmmakers had to balance the film's dark subject matter with its comedic tone.
Settings
Fargo is set in Minnesota and North Dakota in 1987. The film's setting is an important aspect of its visual style, as the Coen brothers used the snowy landscapes and small-town locations to create a sense of isolation and bleakness.
Visual Styles and Techniques
The Coen brothers used a variety of visual techniques to create the unique look of "Fargo," including wide shots of snowy landscapes, extreme close-ups of characters' faces, and a muted color palette. The film's cinematography, by Roger Deakins, is often cited as one of its strongest elements.
Trivia and Fun Facts
- The film's famous woodchipper scene was not originally in the script but was added during filming.
- The character of Marge Gunderson was inspired by a real-life Minnesota police officer named Marge Gunderson.
- The film's title comes from the city of Fargo, North Dakota, which is mentioned briefly in the film but is not a major setting.
- The Coen brothers have stated that they consider Fargo to be a true story, even though it is entirely fictional.
