WOW this film is subtle.

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 1998)

Fargo took me a few viewings to really appreciate, and judging by some of the other ecstatic reactions to this film, I still don't fully "get" it. Hidden in amongst what at first seems to be merely a quirky twist on the heist gone wrong staple is what I think is a strong message about the moral fibre of today's society. Compare the money-hungry, deceitful, anti-social behaviour of the perennially miserable Macy and Buscemi to the constantly honest, happy, content and perennially cheerful nature of McDormand.
Now I usually hate films that try to sell a message, but this one does it so subtly that it has an almost subliminal impact. Two scenes at the end, one with McDormand and Stormare in the Police car and the final scene in bed sum it up.
Still though, it's not my favourite Coen film, that is still Millers Crossing. And I disagree with everyone here, neither McDormand OR Brenda Blethyn should have won the best actress Oscar. It should have been Emily Watson for "Breaking the Waves". So there.
I give Fargo 9/10.