An interesting look at mannerisms and speech in Fargo, North Dakota but will it be memorable 20 years from now?

Rating: 6/10 (16 April 2002)

The first time I saw Fargo in 1996 I enjoyed it mainly because I was hoping that it would edge out the highly over-rated snorefest The English Patient at the Academy Awards. Now I'm aware of the fact that Fargo is also highly over-rated. Three generations of my family grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota. The mannerisms and speech used by William H Macy and Frances McDormand is realistic but why should I remember this screenplay twenty years from now? Apparently it is a true story which must have all the fans of Survivor running for their local Blockbuster stores along with the fans of America's Most Wanted and Cops. When I want to see reality that will impact me for years to come I'll rent something historically significant like Malcolm X or a documentary film like No Man's Land or One Day in September. These movies are by the books as reality movies should be and don't look for black comedy that offends the memories of the people who were most closely affected by the tragedy.
I did appreciate the effort on the part of the Coen brothers to add their usual wit to the mix. William H Macy was hilarious as the father and husband who was more worried about money than about the lives of his family. It was a somewhat enchanting experience to watch him try to keep everything under control while slightly breaking down with every passing moment. Frances McDormand has proven herself to be talented in Almost Famous and The Man who Wasn't There but she is highly over-rated here. Perhaps it's my bias that was putting all bets on Emily Watson's extraordinary performance in Breaking the Waves for the Academy Award. For me McDormand was adequate and appeared to be having fun but not memorable 20 years down the road. The always reliable Steve Buscemi (he should have won for Ghost World) stole the show here.
Fargo is a film that I'd recommend to the reality-television audience and to serious fans of the Coen brothers films. It enchants on some level but may disgust some viewers who will be perplexed that this really did happen. It suffices as a rental on a Saturday night when you want to see what all the fuss is about. Be prepared however, if your from Fargo or Minnesota to be somewhat offended. After all, when you see Frances McDormand, you'll be looking in the mirror.
6/10