Fargo

Fargo is a 1996 movie from the Coen brothers. Considered a dark comedy it is one of the more influential movies of the nineties. Featuring a very strong cast including Best Actess Winner Frances McDermond, Steve Buscemi and William H Macy the movie as well as being well reviewed has been a cult classic with a very devoted fan base.

The story centers around Jerry Lundegaard as a Minneapolis car salesman, actually executive sales manager as he likes to say at a dealership owned by his father in law. Jerry is deeply in debt and as the movie begins he has hired two hit men to kidnap his wife. He does not wish her harm, he merely hopes to get his very wealthy father in law to pay a ransom. To be further ahead in the game he has told his hired hands that he will pay them 40,000, while advising his father in law that the ransom that has been asked for is one million dollars.

Of course nothing goes as planned. William H Macy is wonderful in his role as the hapless salesman mixing his deceptiveness with " Minnesota Nice."

The hit men kidnap Mrs. Lundegaard but on the road are pulled over for a license plate issue. In the end they shoot the police officer. Carl, played by Steve Buscemi is dragging the body off the road when a car with two teenagers goes by. His accomplice Gaaer chases them down and when they in fleeing goes off the road shoots them both.

The crime scene is investigated by Brainerd Chief of Police Marge Gunderson. In the role that won McDermond the Oscar Marge is seven months pregnant and a very good detective. Quickly ascertaining the timeline she then backtracks and is quickly on the trail.

Harve Presnell plays Wade, Jerry's father in law and is strong in the role. Buscemi, does he ever come to a good end in his movies has a memorable moment with a wood chipper and in the end Marge lectures Gaear about why would anyone make the choice he has made when after all.....it is a bueatiful day.

A very interesting movie. Not a classic but for any of us who have experienced the North Dakota, Minnesota personality a welcome reminder of this personality climate.