In No Way a Masterpiece - Ordinary at Best

Rating: 6/10 (13 September 2005)

I typically comment on films only when my view varies from the vast majority of commenters. I don't see how this film makes the top 250 list. Yes, there are quality performances delivered by Buscemi, Macy, and McDormand, but nowhere near Oscar material - and I think they would agree. McDormand does the Northern laid back officer role very well, and of course, Macy is at home as the stressed out protagonist.
I agree with critics that wonder about the purpose of the film. What was the purpose of the multiple idiotic sex scenes with the villains and the local whores? The free-wheeling cussing was enough to guarantee the R rating.
Life in the North during the dead of winter IS very bleak for the uninitiated, but the plot is worthy of only TV movie of the week attention. Grinding frozen human remains in a wood chipper?? PLEASE. In my opinion Buscemi steals the show, and carries the audience through all of the insanity of the situation confronting all the characters. Don't tell me that the freakish situation that McDormand encountered - multiple homicides on the highway in the middle of winter - wouldn't have stressed her out just a little bit more, yet she treated the whole situation as some routine investigation. I couldn't see that, and I'm good in the snow.
I couldn't buy the raves.