KIDNAP AND MURDER IN THE SNOW ~ A TRUE STORY ~ OR IS IT? KINDA FUNNY LOOKING! (Fargo (Special Edition, DVD))

Member Name: saramac

Product:	Fargo (Special Edition, DVD)
Date:	13/09/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent performances from the three main characters.

Disadvantages: None for me, but some people may find it too slow.

Fargo, was written, directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen, known to most as the Coen brothers. It was released in 1996 and in the opening credits states that it's based on a true story, but thats a ploy, it is infact completely fictional as stated in the end credits.



The Coens claim that many of the events depicted in the film were based on true events from other cases all thrown together to make one story. Clever but why? Joel Coen said ~
" If an audience believes that something is based on a real event, it gives you permission to do things they might otherwise not accept".




In my opinion this is very clever reasoning and very true if Im told a weird and wonderful story, I must admit, I have the "yeah right" attitude, but if Im told it's a true story, I think "you wouldn't believe that could happen, or you couldn't make that up". Oh what trusting creatures we are all we need to hear is it's a true story and we are hooked.




This is a film only review that stars ~
William H Macy ~ Jerome (Jerry) Ludegaard.
Frances McDormand ~ Police Chief Marge Gunderson.
Steve Buscemi ~ Carl Showalter.
Rated 18
Running Time approx ~ 94 mins
Classed as a Thriller



It won 2 Oscars ~ Best Leading Actress and Best Original Screen Play and a host of other awards.



The plot centres around Jerry who finds himself knee deep in financial trouble, having a rich father-in-law he hatches a screw ball plan to have his wife kidnapped by two crooks, then father-in-law stumps up the $80,000 ransom money which he then splits with the two crooks. He gets his wife back, pays off his debts and lives happily ever after ~ simple ~ or is it?




Problems really start when people start dying, not a common occurrence in the sleepy, snowy Midwest.The day after the kidnap, the town of Fargo, North Dakota wakes up to three murders.....



The twists and turns and minor sub plots within this film will have you wanting more, even the ending for me came too soon, I was left thinking.. "But"......



Frances McDormand was truly amazing in my opinion. She played the heavily pregnant Police Chief Marge, leading the hunt for the kidnappers and murderers. She plods heavily through the film, worrying incessantly about her husband, eating continually and gathering evidence. Her take on the local accent which is highly exaggerated adds a hilarious edge to the film and confuses you into thinking she is rather "slow" for want of a better word, you get the impression at first that shes not very good at her job. The repeated "Yah" and "You Betcha" had me sniggering all through this murderous comedy.





William H Macy plays the hapless, dopey husband and had me shouting at the tv. Everything he does goes wrong, I wanted to shake him and slap him, so good was his portrayal to stir such emotions in me. Even the dim witted crooks he hired think he is stupid. His father-in-law will not give him the time of day and appears to not take him seriously ever. He leaves you with the feeling he gets what he deserves and I found no sympathy with him whatsoever.




Steve Buscemi is fabulous but I am a fan of "google eyes" he always has me in stitches. Throughout this whole film virtually everyone describes him as "Kinda funny looking". Of the two crooks he is the more sensible and comes across increasingly frustrated with his gun happy accomplice. How the two of them ever thought they could get away with their crimes makes me laugh now, thinking about it. I did feel quite sorry for him as he tried to reason with his partner, all he wanted to do was kidnap and collect the money, no complications.




The whole film is set in the middle of nowhere in very deep snow, with very stark backgrounds this for me adds to the suspense as it slowly builds throughout the film, any blood looks more red and murder scenes look more horrific against the pure white snow. The bare countryside gave a feeling of isolation and added a "creepy" edge to the proceedings and for me complimented the slow, steady, unfolding of the story. It's almost as if the story is set to the same pace as Marge in her heavily pregnant state and even though it plods along, I never feel bored and always remain totally captivated.





It's packed full of dark humour and at times I wonder if I should be laughing or indeed quite shocked, the "wood chipper scene" near the end is a perfect example of what I mean and if you watch this film Im sure it will remain in your memory for a long time.....



Sadly in these "credit crunch times" I suppose it's quite apt when we hear the horrendous, unbelievable tales of desperate people faking their own death or burning down their house all because of debts, a story of faked kidnap is probably not as far from a true story as we first think.....




If you want a dark thriller/ comedy packed full of humour and suspense with excellent performances from the weary Marge, hapless, wishy washy Jerry and frustrated, dim witted "kinda funny looking" Carl, then watch this film, I don't think you will be disappointed.


It's a dead cert for 5 snowy stars from me.

Summary: A dark thriller / comedy full of suspense.