One brilliant, original, eye-catching, hilarious, compelling piece of cinema!!!

Rating: 9/10 (17 October 2001)

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)