I have to admit at the beginning of this review…this will be a special one. It might be safe to say that every cinephile out there has a particular director or filmmaker that connects with them on a deep level. For me, it just so happens to be two that work together. One of the most impressive careers in modern cinema belongs to the dynamic duo of Joel and Ethan Coen…the Coen Brothers. The Coen Brothers do it all from producing, directing, writing, and editing. They have a specific piece of the cinematic world cut out just for them.
They create a world filled with unique characters who are so eccentric that they can only exist in a Coen Brothers film.
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There is a darkest and dry wit about it all (even in their darkest and most serious of films). There is an incredible craft that goes into every frame of their films.
All of these things sum up so well in many of their films but Fargo is arguably the peak of their creative juice.
Is Fargo my favorite Coen Brothers film? No…that distinction has to go to their one film more violent and serious than this midwestern crime thriller, No Country for Old Men. But for many, Fargo is the prototype for all things Coen. One thing that the Coen Brothers are generally unbeatable with is the way they craft the tone of the film. Fargo is FUNNY. There is no question about it. But does the humor become the centerpiece? I would certainly argue no. Joel and Ethan are able to go from little conversations layered with so many details to intense and engrossing set pieces that show off the absolute craft that these brothers have.
You can be laughing at the thick accents of the characters and their quirky demeanors and then you are in shock of the violence and brutality that ensues. You get all of that in an experience watching a film by the Coen Brothers.
Every shot is so purposeful filled with textured shadows and weight that is taken seriously. Nothing ever drags during this runtime of Fargo and that is largely due to the steady hand of the Coen Brothers who execute every situation with a deft eye.
But for a film that feels so fully realized it cannot just be the Coen Brothers delivering the goods, right? For such a beautiful film, there is no surprise that the photography is done by Roger Deakins.
Deakins is one of the greatest cinematographers in the history of cinema and he brings his unique look to this film. Every shot is perfectly framed with a dark and textured look to it all. There are moments that take place at night that balance the darkness of night with the faint lights of vehicles along with the perfectly rendered breath seeping from each characters’ mouths. Deakins is able to set the stage for the rest of the film as the first couple of shots are of the stark and cold barren landscape of the film’s setting.
Another long-term collaborator of the Coen Brothers, Carter Burwell, lends his immense talent to the proceedings. The score is so perfect as Burwell is able to create a foreboding atmosphere (because we all know things will not go well from the start). There is also a distinct sense of sadness and pain behind every note that captures the struggles of this cast of characters.
But does the writing from our filmmaking brothers match their expertise behind the camera? Oh…without a doubt.
This twisted and poignant tale of crime, family, and human nature delivers from the go.
We have a down-on-his-luck man who comes up with a darkly twisted way of making money to fulfill his dream…have his wife kidnapped to get ransom from his judgmental and powerful father-in-law. What a great idea! Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?
What a wonderful trademark of their writing…the inherent awkwardness of life. Whether it is missed gunshots, fumbling of words, telling the wrong person too much, or just general clumsiness, Fargo captures it all.
The story has plenty of moving parts that come together in clever and effective ways. This man must find someone to “do the dirty work” and he finds two men for hire, one that is dark and intensely stoic and one that is a gabber and quite funny looking. Throw in a bright and resourceful pregnant cop and we have a darkly funny and impactful cat-and-mouse game. The dialogue that is imbued in these characters is clever and sharp as well.
There are laughs to be had while also delivering relatable and meaningful themes that will have you second-guessing your own place in the world around you. Isn’t that hard to accomplish? It sure is and that is why Joel and Ethan are some of the best writers working today.
You can have great characters and perfect dialogue but one more thing is needed to really make them work. Great performers to bring it all to life. Let’s get this started with an Academy Award-winning performance from Mrs. Coen herself, Frances McDormand. What a performance! How do you make a pregnant sheriff from a small midwestern town so interesting? Let McDormand come in and inject plenty of empathy and pathos into the character. You care about Sheriff Gunderson not only because of her vulnerable physical state but also she is so engaging. She is definitely the smartest person in every room she walks in…but she doesn’t act like it. She is sure of her abilities and McDormand is able to make that shine through. Her genuine nature and amicable attitude really work for her. Even when she sits in a car with a heartless and cold individual, she is able to connect with them and wish good for them.
Then there is William H Macy… what a slimy and weaselly little man? Macy is able to capture the insecurity and maniac nature of Jerry Lundegaard without looking like he is trying. Macy is so committed to the character that you never second guess his work…but you’re certainly the second guess of the actions of his character.
The rest of the film is filled to the brim with quirky and wonderful performances from every single character but Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare are for a lack of a better word…perfect. They make the ideal foil for each other as Buscemi is manic and never stops digging himself in a bigger hole with his mouth. Stormare though…what an intense presence. He burns a hole through you with his stare while getting in trouble for his lack of foresight or caring.
After 25 years, why do we still go back to watch Fargo? The Coen Brothers were able to create such a unique experience with a collection of characters that we have never seen on film before.
We get an endlessly quotable dark comedy that is hilarious and biting all at once. The ability of the Coen Brothers to reflect the flaws of humanity and the imperfections of the world delivers amazingly awkward and unexpected twists and turns.
When you turn on a Coen film, you know that you will be transported into a fully realized world and Fargo is one of the best.
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