criminals, and  Harve Presnell  as the salesman's father-in-law. The film earned seven  Academy Award  nominations, winning two for  Best Original Screenplay  for the Coens and  Best Actress in a Leading Role  for McDormand. [ 1 ]  It also won the BAFTA Award  and the  Award for Best Director  for Joel Coen at the  1996 Cannes Film