Fargo (1996) [VHS] (1996)

The plot revolves around a bizarre kidnapping scheme. Jerry Lundergaard is pressed for cash, so he resorts to hiring two thugs to kidnap his own wife so that his father-in-law will pay the ransom. Sounds like one bizarre plan, but one must remember how desperate people can get when it comes to money issues. It's easy to see that trouble lies ahead once the plan is set into motion, and a series of events have been unleashed that cannot be undone. What's supposed to be a simple and straight-forward plan ends up being a horrific mess with unspeakable consequences.

"Fargo" is truly one of those films where you know the majority of the population has seen it. Everybody repeats the lines, reenacts the silly and sometimes over-the-top accent (although, I have been to Minnesota many times, and people do talk like that!), and everybody seems to have their own favorite scene out of the movie. The film is amazingly written and directed by the Coen Brothers, who have made movies like "Miller's Crossing," "Barton Fink," "Raising Arizona," and "The Man Who Wasn't There." It's a treat to watch them keep coming up with fresh and original films that never seem similar to their past movies. The film also includes a phenomenal cast that really makes everything work. William H. Macy is great in his performance of the husband, as he shows great human qualities along with the devious and terrible ones. Francis McDormand is absolutely fantastic in her role of "Marge" and steals every single scene that she is in. Let's not forget to mention Steve Buschemi (the "funny-looking" guy) and quiet but extremely violent Peter Stormare as the two spineless thugs.

In this "Special Edition" package, we finally get to see the film recieve the care and treatment that it deserves. The picture and sound quality is more than satisfying--especially the sound, as this is the first time that it's available in five-channel Dolby Surround. The DVD contains widescreen and fullscreen presentations of the film (I always recommend watching the film in widescreen, as you are seeing exactly what the director wants you to see). Special features include a behind-the-scenes documentary, a Charlie Rose interview with the Coen Brothers and Francis McDormand, audio commentary by the director of photography, trailers and more. The behind-the-scenes feature and the interview with Charlie Rose are really worth checking out, as the issue of this movie being "based on a true" story is finally put to rest. And the answer is--well, I'm not going to tell you that! That defeats the whole purpose of getting this fully-loaded DVD package. Trust me, no matter what the answer may be, it doesn't take anything away from the movie and everything is explained in a very reasonable way. This is definitely an impressive package for one heck of an impressive movie.

"Fargo" is a film that will always be around. It has already reached "classic" status in so little time and is critically acclaimed by some of the world's top movie critics. While the movie may be violent and extremely dark, make sure to pay close attention to the end where Marge is talking to "someone" in her squad car, as that really is what the whole theme of the movie is about (and it is a great scene, I might add). If you have not given this movie a viewing, be sure to check it out when you can. Is it a fantastic film that can be watched numerous times? You betcha!! -Michael Crane

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It's a terrible plan, and it quickly unravels into a bloody mess of murder and betrayal. When bodies begin to mount, a local police officer, Marge Gunderson, is called in. Frances McDormand plays Marge Gunderson, and she makes the movie magical.

McDormand won an Oscar for the role, and this is one instance when the recipient deserved the award. She plays "Margie" with a huge dose of humanity. She is a character that sneaks up on you. When she is introduced, you wonder if perhaps she is just a small town officer in way over her head. She is pregnant, speaks in small town (Minnesota) idioms, and throws up from morning sickness when investigating the first brutal murders. She seems more like a nice, Minnesotan housewife than a cop. But early you get the feeling that there is something special about her.

The killings involve a traffic cop that was killed while issuing a ticket for a missing plate. In his log book, he was written DLR. When Marge's fellow officer says that he has run a search for all tags starting with DLR, Marge says gently, "I'm not sure I agree with you 100 percent on your police work there, Irv." She explains to Irv that DLR means that it was a new car, a dealer's car. "Oooh" says Irv, staring into space. Then Marge tells Irv a joke about the guy that couldn't afford a vanity license plate, so he changed his name to FGS1135. "That's a good one," says Irv, but it is clear Marge's wit has gone over his head.

The brilliance of the scene is that Marge is never cruel or condescending to Irv, never thinks less of him, and is not making fun of him. She is simply enjoying her own intelligence, and we can see the very private sparkle in her eyes.

Marge also has a core of steel. Watch the scene where she gets information from a menacing suspect by reminding him, with almost motherly concern, about all the trouble he has been in with the law, and the fact that he is actually in violation of his parole. She cracks him like an egg without ever loosing her smile.

All actors concerned give great performances. Steve Buscemi brings his pitch-perfect snide larceny to the table, playing one of the kidnappers; and Peter Stormare (who once played Hamlet in an Igmar Bergman production) utters perhaps 15 words in a terrifying performance as the other kidnapper. And, of cource, William H. Macey couldn't have played it Better. His Jerry Lundegaard is so full of stress and fear, you can't watch him without squirming.

I have read where this film has been criticized for making fun of the people of Minnesota, poking fun at their accents and manners. This is not true. The Coen Brothers grew up in Minneapolis, and this is their homage to their own people. The folks in Minnesota may talk funny to the reviewers watching movies in New York and Los Angeles, but this film in no way makes fun of them. At the end of the day, Marge and her husband are happily going to sleep in their bed, in love with one another and content with their shared life. How many other couples portrayed in a Coen Brother's film can make this claim?

How anyone can watch Marge Gunderson in action and think the Coen's were making fun of her is beyond me. Like Marge, they are simply enjoying their own intelligence.

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Yes, this is a nasty film...at times severely violent. It also has a number of delightful comic moments, notably during Chief Gunderson's conversations with her husband Norm (John Carroll Lynch) as well as with Lundegaard. The acting by all members of the cast is consistently brilliant under Coen's crisp direction. After numerous viewings, what I still enjoy most in this film is McDormand's performance. Chief Gunderson may have a trusting heart but also a remarkably sharp mind. She wants so much to believe in goodness, to think the best of others, but she is by no means naive. As played by McDormand, she invests this film a warmth which is all the more remarkable, given the physical setting and time of the year.

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