Fargo
Day 49

Film 39

Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen

Written by: Joel and Ethan Coen

Starring: Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi and William H. Macy

Fargo is an interesting film. It is an interesting story told in a very down to earth style. There are no explosions. The action is understated with quick brutal murder sequences. The story follows a group of likable enough people, who turn out to be more pitiful than villainous, and a cop who is just a cop, unraveling the loose strands that the bodies leave.

The film has a very warm feeling to it. The conspirators are like able enough, especially Lundegaard (Macy) who you cannot help but root for in the first half of the movie. He is a sad sack who just wants to make his family happy, but cannot impress his father in law. He turns out to be a spineless coward who is more pitiful than heroic.

Marge Gunderson (McDormand) ends up being a lovable character amidst the death and backstabbing. She ties the stories together with a Minnesotan accent and good by the books police work. You cannot help but love her. Without McDormand the film would have fallen on its face, being far too raw for anyone to really like.

Fargo reminded me a lot of No Country for Old Men, although I am not entirely sure why. It is obvious that the Coen brothers have a very distinct style of telling a story. If I was to guess the biggest difference in No Country for Old Men and Fargo is that Fargo is built as a comedy, where the good guys win, while No Country is built so no one does. Or something... (I really need to rewatch that film)