Fargo (1996)

About Fargo

"Fargo" is a 1996 American black comedy crime thriller film directed by the Coen brothers. The screenplay was also written by the duo. The plot revolves around a car salesman in Minneapolis who gets himself into debt and hires two thugs to kidnap his own wife. His plan is to get a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law, which backfires leading to a series of unfortunate, violent and scarring events.

Making / Production

The film's production was managed by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Working Title Films, with the Coen Brothers taking on the directorial roles. The interesting part of the Fargo production was how the directors were able to balance the dark themes with humor. The filming took place in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Actors

• Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson: A wily and pregnant police chief who investigates roadside homicides. McDormand brilliantly portrays a headstrong woman in a male-dominated field.
• William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard: A car salesman with financial problems. Macy plays Lundegaard with both desperation and ignorance, making him a pitiable but contemptible character.
• Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare as Carl Showalter and Gaear Grimsrud: The criminal duo hired to kidnap Jerry's wife. Both actors imbue their roles with equal parts of menace and incompetence.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite its title, much of the movie was actually filmed in Minnesota.
• The Coen Brothers claimed that the film was based on a true story, but it was actually entirely fictional.
• Frances McDormand won her first Academy Award for her performance in this movie.

Awards

Fargo was highly honored in the film industry. It won two Academy Awards, for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress (Frances McDormand). It was also nominated for five more including Best Picture.

Quotes

• "And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know."
• "I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou."
• "There's the one that says, 'You can't win them all,' but then there's the one that says, 'You sure can lose them all.'"

Music, Soundtrack

• The haunting musical score for Fargo was composed by Carter Burwell.
• Songs featured in the film include "Big City" by Merle Haggard and "Let's Find Each Other Tonight" by José Feliciano.
• The song "Fargo, North Dakota" is an original composition by Burwell, featuring eerie, minimalist motifs.