One of the best of '96

Rating: 9/10 (13 September 1998)

The Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, have created in Fargo their best film to date (and I'm writing this after The Big Lebowski). I've watched it I think four times and each time am again impressed with its outrageous excellence. If you love inventive camera work, intelligent scoring (Carter Burwell), sharp dialog, and a strong female lead (Frances McDormand, winning the Oscar)--and are not put off by occasional violence--then Fargo is well worth seeing (in fact, worth buying!). Just one thing: Take the "true story" tag with a grain of salt. Apparently the Coens were having some fun with that declaration!