Coen magic.

Rating: 9/10 (6 April 2005)

There are two Coen brothers movies that stand the test of time after repeated viewings. There is the neo-noir Miller's Crossing (1990) and Fargo. Far from what went on to win the Oscar for best picture (English Patient), this film is a smaller, more personal tale of tragedy and violence in a place you'd least expect it.
The Coens are sometimes criticised for their work being too cold, sometimes distant and too intelligent for the audience. Well, they never seemed to be that in-depth to me, instead they also seemed to create really enjoyable movies. Fargo is a really fun movie to watch, although I can understand it might be a little difficult for some to watch - the contrast of comedy and violence is quite extreme in scenes, but I didn't have a problem with this.
Fargo is cold and distant in one sense, being that is is set in the beautifully frozen Minosotta. The story is the usual Coen "noir" set up - and always the Coens give an edge to the story. The Coens are "...like a goddamn twist!" as Leo said in Miller's Crossing. William H. Macey giving another great performance plays the husband who hires two inept crooks, Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare to kidnap his wife, so he can get the ransom money from the father of his wife, Harve Presnell (who is so stubborn is good).
This story reminded me of the Coen's love for double crossings, mishaps in the plan and tragedy - themes we have seen in Miller's Crossing (deception, double, triple crossings) and Blood Simple with murder, adultery etc. Fargo has refined this technique, as the themes are woven into the tight narrative and amusing atmosphere.
Being a relatively short the film, the story really does truck along well, never really becoming boring - unless you are not in tune to the Coen brothers wit and style. For every violent scene (and believe me, there are some!) there is a funny one, like the infamous "He was kinda funny lookin'..." dialogue.
The performances are fantastic, Macy being brilliant, and McDormand on top form as the pregnant cop Marge Gunderson. Seeing as we don't see her until half an hour in, her presence is powerful, just subtly burning up the screen. Buscemi and Stormare are a great duo as the two hapless crooks who are carrying out the plan for Macy. Stormare is just chilling, with his cold as ice stare, and Buscemi neurotic and hilarious. Even the bit part actors give great performances, just adding to the reality of Fargo. The accents were thought to be the main source of the comedy, but they are genuine accents! I loved it.
The music by Carter Burwell is haunting and cold, just like the land it accompanies. Cinematography by Roger Deakins is some of the most inventive and fresh stuff I have seen in years. The fact it is more original than the "David Lean" homage, The English Patient, is another pointer to argue why this film didn't win Best Picture. A disgrace.
Possibly one of the best films of the 90's.
Is it the best Coen brother's movie? "You're darned tootin'!"