"Powerful drama played as black comedy."

Rating: Null/10 (24 October 2004)

In snow-covered Minnesota, a car dealer hatches a seemingly water tight plan to have his own wife kidnapped by two crooks and collect a ransom from her wealthy father. However, things go disastrously wrong...
A powerful crime drama which is played for a blackly comic effect. In common with most modern day pictures there is a rather unnecessary emphasis on sex, but apart from that this is good old fashioned entertainment. William H Macy is excellent as the naive car dealer while Frances McDormand as the pregnant cop who has to go from bloody to even bloodier crime scene as the movie progresses is standout. The film is shot perfectly on the standard Widescreen format by cameraman Roger Deakins. All in all, "Fargo" is an unmissable treat from the Coen Brothers who have given us other gems such as "The Man Who Wasn't There".
ACADEMY AWARDS: Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Best Original Screenplay: Joel & Ethan Coen.
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor: William H Macy, Best Director: Joel Coen, Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins, Best Film Editing: Roderick Jaynes.