Customer Reviews

Fargo (1996 Film)/Barton Fink (1991 Film)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw Fargo in the theater and was immmediately struck by the music that perfectly accompanied the film. The opening track I don't think I will ever forget. Plus "Ozone" is a fantastic song, I just wish it was longer. The Barton Fink material isn't as great, but also isn't as prevelent on the disc. I love listening to this while doing homework or just writing. The music sets the tone and the atmosphere.....the album just cannot be played in the summer.

To be perfectly clear on this point, the music is superb; evocative of the desolate and haunting Winter wastes of the Northern Midwest and the despair that accompanies the somber crimes depicted the Coen's film. (I can still hear Frances McDormand's sparse soliloquy to the unresponsive Peter Stormare about what a tragic waste the killings were; the main theme playing in the background.)

My objection is that, I was expecting a smorgasbord and ended up with some skimpy appetizers. Many of the cuts (at least six) are under a minute long -- barely more than a musical "sting" -- and those that are longer are either a minute or two. Additionally, a number of these are derivatives of the original melodies.

So, load up before you come to this party; the pickins are pretty slim.

..oh, yeah, Barton Fink's tacked on too.

Not a complete soundtrack, the Country/Western song at the beginning when William H. Macy first meets Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare in the bar, and the Jose Feliciano number, are inexplicably omitted. Apparently, any music that could not be credited to Carter Burwell had no place here. The chilling opening sequence was not "inspired by" or "based on," but lifted, note for note, from the traditional Norwegian hardanger fiddle tune "The Lost Sheep." The original may be heard on Annbjorg Lien's "Felefeber" (Shanachie).

I really only wanted this combined collection for the Fargo soundtrack (I am sure fans will recall the music accompanying the shots of the cars moving across the icy highway) - the music is largely incidental music, with the main theme repeated several times but redolent of the pathos of the films. "Yah?" - "Yah".

Just a note for people who are considering buying this and are put off by some of the negative reviews: This is the SCORE, not songs from or inspired by the movie. Therefore one will not find the "Country/Western song" at the beginning of 'Fargo', nor the Jose Feliciano song. It is also why some of the songs are "miserably short takes" (they are the length of those particular scenes in the movie), and why some are "derivatives of the original melodies" (what would a score be if the composer didn't use variations of the defining theme?). As for its purpose in setting the tone of the movie, it is superb -- perfectly capturing the chilling bleakness of both the N. Dakota/Minnesota landscape and the main characters' souls.

Bottom line: The 'Fargo' score should be judged for what it is - a terrific score to an amazing movie.

This is the soundtrack I was looking for. It was a little expensive but only available as a package deal with "Barton Fink".

The musical score from Fargo is not only different but is enchanting to listen to in snowy weather. I love the main theme.
This score was perfect for the film.

Writers will love these two scores, particularly the one for Fargo. Enjoy writing horror, morbid, or gothic tales? Than this is the perfect cd to write to. Enjoy.

This CD arrived promptly. Before I opened it and found out that the jewel cover was smashed I noticed that the packaging seemed flimsy. It was in a white paper envelope folded over. There was no cardboard covering just the envelope. I would think that someone who ships CD's would know that this packing is not adequate for the kinds of machines that the postal service uses. The CD is fine but I have no storage for it since the jewel case is shattered. I would not buy from this purveyor again.

Absolutely BAD. Just like the In Bruges Carter Burwell Soundtrack. Miserably short takes on the tunes you want to hear more of, followed by cacaphonous space fillers. A WASTE.