stark realism, the way I like 'em

Rating: Null/10 (8 April 1999)

Great depiction of how greed and ineptitude can turn a staged crime into a disastrous tragedy. Well acted and shot, full use is made of the stark, snow filled landscapes of the mid-northern states to the point of surrealism.
Maybe the accents were somewhat exaggerated, but the constant use of the 'Jeezes' and 'Yahs' did give a semi-hypnotic effect I'm sure the producers were looking for. It is also very violent, something that happens all too frequently in Paul Bunyan's America. Frances McDermond was great, and deserves the Oscar she got. If I can find fault with the movie it is the scene where the 'old friend' tries to con Margie into starting a relationship. The only possible purpose for such a scene would be to give more depth to the Margie character, but it is mostly distracting. Some other story device would have been more welcome.
Though hard to adjust to at first, I found the musical score to be most haunting and builds brilliantly for dramatic effect where needed.
A definite 'thumbs up' from us fans whose tastes lean a little toward the bizzare.