Fargo (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Fargo (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Passafist Reviews Fargo
Summary: 5 Stars
The crime in the Coen Brother's film FARGO has to have been the worst executed crime in the history of cinema. It's flawed from the very beginning. It's a good thing that the movie isn't the same way; it's possibly one of the best-executed films of the last 25 years. I've always been a [fan] for strong character dramas. Plot is inconsequential to me for the most part. I always look at it as that added bonus if a plot really grabs me. I just realize that most stories operate on the same seven or eight premises. So it is the characters that save them. FARGO is full of great characters.
The film opens in Fargo, North Dakota, at a shady trucker bar. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macey, Panic) is there to meet Carl (Steve Buscemi, Con Air) --a low rent, funny looking crook. Carl is there with another man named Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare, The Big Lebowski), a tall, silent and scary looking crook. Jerry drops off a car and sets a crime into motion. The two crooks are to kidnap Jerry's wife (Kristen Rudrud, Pleasantville) and hold her for ransom. Jerry is trying to embezzle money from his well-to-do father in law Wade (Harve Presnell, Face/Off), who is a real [fool].
Needless to say, what should be a simple crime goes terribly wrong. When three people show up dead in a small town called Brainerd, the local sheriff, Marge Gunderson (Francis McDormand, The Man Who Wasn't There) get on the case.
What Joel and Ethan Coen have crafted here is a drama of such life and scope. It's not simply about a crime. It's about people living their lives at a moment in time. There are scenes in this film that are unnecessary to the plot that are completely necessary for these characters.
Take for instance, the intimate scene in a hotel resturant in Fargo. Marge is met by an old high school chum, named Mike Yanagita, (Steve Park, and TOYS). He invites her to the hotel to seduce her. He's so bad at it that he makes up stories to try to win her over. She's so sympathetic, to this mans needs, but also wary of his advances. Any other film, this scene would probably be cut, it sure doesn't move the story along. But it paints a clearer picture of just who Marge really is; it's vital to the evolution of her character. It's perfect.
There is another brilliant sequence near the beginning of the film where Jerry has just told Wade about a great land deal he has in the works. Hes hoping Wade will give him the money. When the meeting takes a decidedly different turn there is a single shot of Jerry walking back to his car. It's so sad. Its so heartbreaking. You sympathize with and for Jerry. Its reminds me of that scene in TAXI DRIVER, where Travis hangs up the phone after being rejected by Betsey and the camera pans away to the empty hallway, very effective both times.
Francis McDormand is perfect as Marge. She embodies even the pregnant suit she wears through the entire film. I dont know why Marge has to be pregnant; the film would work without her being that way. But that again is one of those small character beats that makes FARGO a film worth watching.
Another interesting device the Coen Bros. use is a small title screen at the beginning stating that the film is in fact a true story. In all honesty it isn't. But what that allows the film to do is work in the realm of the real. Sure the film is a work of fiction, but still there is a feeling of authenticity that little title allows. Honestly the first time I saw FARGO, I thought it was a true story, and I believed it throughout the entirety of the film.
Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare make great crooks. In any bad film these two characters would be bumbling [fools]. Neither one is terribly smart, but there is certain finesse to there performances. I particularly liked the early scene where Buscemi's character Carl tries to stop talking to show Stomare's Grimsrud he can play the silent game. Of course Carl can't shut up, so he winds up talking to himself.
After reading this review your probably thinking this is a drama. But the AFI listed it as one of the 100 greatest comedies. How does that add up? Well, life is sometimes really funny; sometimes you hear a joke and you can't help laughing. FARGO is a comedy of situation. Marge for instance is a naturally funny person, so she'll tell a joke. She's sweet and good hearted and so are the people she works with. So naturally funny things will happen.
FARGO is a great movie. Well worth 95 minutes of anyone's life. It's a slice of life comedy, set against a gritty and horrible crime. It's a human character study. FARGO is one of the best movies ever made. I love FARGO. ...
Movie Review: "You are a smooth smoothie, you know..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few movies stand out in the world of cinema in a way that "Fargo" does. This off-the-wall thriller that combines humor with suspense is an absolute masterpiece in my eyes. It's one of those films that I can watch over and over again without ever worrying about getting tired of it. It is a movie that is crafted and presented to us in a fresh and exciting manner.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
Movie Review: One of the best movies ever made!
Summary: 5 Stars
Jerry Lundergaard (William H. Macy) is obsessed with getting his grubby paws on his father-in-law's money. He's in "trouble" (what kind isn't explained, but my imagination tells me it's some kind of sleazy business or real estate deal. It's made clear later that Jerry faked VIN numbers on a GMAC loan to receive $320,000 - but GMAC is threatening to call back the money). He's so crazy to get money out of his father-in-law, Wade, that he hires two petty criminals to kidnap his own wife and split the ransom with them. This is just the opening to the movie, wait until it really gets going!
Jerry is a weasel; a sniveling, swindling, conniving, bumbling weasel, and the criminals he hires, Carl Showalter (played by the amazing Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) are not very bright either. During the execution of the kidnapping, they wind out shooting three people in Brainard, a small town outside the Minneapolis area. Assigned to the murders is Brainard's pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Academy Award winning Frances McDormand). Marge, unused to such violence in her small town, is determined to find the killers.
I don't want to give too much away, I want you to be as shocked and entertained as I was when I watched 'Fargo' for the first time. The film moves quickly, and bodies keep unexpectedly dropping. There's never a dull moment. This spectacular Coen Brothers film has everything in it, suspense, comedy, blood, and horror. (It's usually classified as a Dark Comedy). The performances by William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, and Steve Buscemi are brilliant; the casting was perfect. A couple of hilarious scenes are Marge Gunderson interviewing two hookers, and the "Geez, I'm going crazy out there at the lake" story by Mr. Mohra to Officer Olson. You'll laugh out loud at these. Jerry's fumbling, greedy attempts to get money (This is MY deal here, Wade) are a riot, and his temper tantrums when he fails are not to be missed. (William H. Macy should have won the award he was nominated for)
I was finally spurred into writing a review of this, one of my favorite movies, when the Special Edition DVD came out. In the Special Edition you have:
*A Documentary called Minnesota Nice (what Frances McDormand punned the dialect used in the film), which is interviews with the Coen Brothers and actors Peter Stormare, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand, and William H. Macy. It also answers once and for all the question of whether or not the movie really is based on a true story.
*An Audio Commentary of the film by Cinematographer Roger Deakins. He's not very loquacious, and speaks in a monotone - often muttering - but has interesting details of the locations (most of the movie was filmed on location rather than using studio sets), lighting, camera angles, etc. It's unfortunate he doesn't have much to say about the actors performances though. He also talks way too much about other movies he's filmed rather than focusing specifically on 'Fargo'.
*A Trivia Tract. Interesting little windows of information during the film, everything from the actor's previous films to the history of McDonald's restaurants.
*A segment of The Charlie Rose show where he interviews Ethan and Joel Coen, and Frances McDormand.
*Theatrical and TV trailers.
The Special Edition DVD is worth the price, I recommend purchasing it even if you already own a previously released copy of the film. If you haven't seen the movie yet, then run right out and buy a copy right now. I highly recommend this movie, definitely worth a purchase. 10 Stars. Enjoy!
Movie Review: Beyond the Pale
Summary: 5 Stars
So far, MGM has released two DVD editions of "Fargo;" both are good, and this is the better of the two.
The main menu's background consists of footage of McDormand, examining the bodies of the movie's first murders. The menu interface is sparse; white space and memorable film stills serve as the backgrounds. An alternate French dubbed track is fair, and while the English, French and Spanish subtitles are all adequate, none of them convey the spoken distinctions of the so-called "Minnesota nice" dialect.
The scene selection menu features titled thumbnail galleries beside film stills of the bloody Steve Buscemi, burying that cash-packed suitcase in the snow.
The Coens will not record audio commentary tracks and most DVDs of their films don't include any, but cinematographer Roger Deakins provides commentary for this edition. Deakins is soft-spoken and charming, if not terribly exciting. While he hasn't any thrilling revelations to relate, he does provide some interesting information on how numerous scenes were lit and shot, and a few amusing stories. Some scenes barely feature any commentary, and this track will likely be of interest only to film buffs and Coen fans.
The requisite documentary featurette is entitled "Minnesota Nice," and it's what you'd expect: interview footage of cast and crew interspersed with clips from the film's more memorable scenes. None of this is terribly surprising or disagreeable. An interview with the Coens and McDormand from "The Charlie Rose Show" is also included, and is much more interesting: the story, characters and performances of "Fargo" are discussed at length, as is their career in film making.
The optional "Trivia Tips" are displayed as boxed onscreen text that provides information pertaining to the film's cast, crew, story, locations and production. I can imagine that this is a nice feature for a group of viewers who have seen the film before and know what to expect.
Like most DVD photo galleries, this one includes both publicity photos and behind-the-scenes photographs shot between takes, with an emphasis on the Coens. A decent theatrical trailer is included, as is a typically mediocre TV spot. The text, photos and storyboards of an "American Cinematographer" article are also provided, in which the Coens, Deakins and chief lighting technician Bill O'Leary are interviewed. As would be expected, the focus of the article is on the film's photography and Deakins' collaboration with the Coens, but ironically, this article contains more concrete information pertaining to the story than all the other supplemental features combined!
A video trailer for the special edition DVD of "Blue Velvet" is also included.
Movie Review: "Films like "Fargo" are why I love the movies", said Roger Ebert.
Summary: 5 Stars
The film-makers Joel and Ethan Coen, the writing/directing team also known as Two Headed Director, are the reason why I believe in the modern movie-making. To take the story like the one Fargo is based on which has been told so many times before and I am sure will be told over and over again, to turn it and twisted in the most un-anticipated ways, to create the characters so alive and three dimensional that you believe every word they say and every step they take, to provide them with some of the best quotes and dialogs I've ever had pleasure to hear, to mix unique dark humor and humanity, to make the film recognizable but uniquely beautiful, dark, dramatic, and funny - that's what Coens achieved in Fargo which has been supposedly the Best film they ever made. All of us, Coens' fans have our own favorite film but it is hard to disagree that with Fargo, Coens sealed the place in Cinema Hall of Fame. Fargo is a movie of many dimensions. As many of Coens' films, it centers on a botched crime that includes kidnapping gone terribly wrong. Many viewers see it as a dark comical crime/mystery thriller which it is but it is much more. It rises to the high tragedy, and it is one of the most beautiful gentle love stories committed to screen which is very unusual for Coens. What I especially love in Fargo - the perfect balance between the scenes of building suspense, graphic violence, humor, and the real drama from the lives of the real people. The visual palette of the film with color white dominating the screen is stunning, and the snow that covers American Midwest for what seems the eternal winter, is as important character for the film as the rest of them. The sorrowful music score deserves a special mention for creating the mood. It has been told a lot about dream cast that Coens gathered for the film. Of all stars, Frances McDormand and William H. Macy got the most recognition, and very deservingly so. Macy is amazing and a spot- on, and in the final scene of the film, genuinely heartbreaking. It is impossible to imagine anybody else in the role of Jerry Lundegaard, the desperate man who came up with the perfect scheme to become rich without hurting anyone and whose good intentions paved the road directly to hell of Shakespearian proportions. Macy was determined from the beginning that it was HIS role in spite Coens' doubts even after the second reading. He did not hesitate to beg them, and the result proved absolutely terrific. Any way I look at Fargo, it is a great work of Cinema that would make it difficult for its creators to overpass because it is perfect. As a true masterpiece, it only gets better as time passes and it opens new dimensions with every new viewing.