In the 1990s, Joel and Ethan Coen became the most sought-after directors of their generation. After they convinced critics all over the world with their early works ‘Blood Simple’ and ‘Arizona Junior’, masterpiece after masterpiece followed. In addition to ‘Barton Fink’ and ‘Miller’s Crossing’, the Coen brothers had a decisive influence on popular culture in the 1990s through two films:The Great Lebowski” And “Fargo“.
If you are actually among the film fans who haven’t seen ‘Fargo’ or haven’t really been exposed to the Coens’ work, then you urgently need to close this education gap: You can stream the laconic thriller for a fee on Amazon Prime Video. Alternatively, you can also switch to the Prime Video channel MGM+, where you can watch “Fargo” for free as part of a free trial. If the free period ends and you cancel the subscription, monthly fees will apply.
This is what ‘Fargo’ is about
Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a stuffy car dealer who is up to his neck in trouble. He’s actually speculating with his wealthy father-in-law Wade Gustafson’s (Harve Presnell) money, but he doesn’t hand over any of his money. Then Jerry comes up with the ultimate idea: he hires two crooks (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife (Kristin Rudrüd). Jerry wants to use the ransom his father-in-law has to pay to save himself from his financial misery.
Actually a manageable plan, but Jerry overestimated the criminal’s mental state – and everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. The bloodlessly planned crime, from which all parties had to make money, turns into a brutal chaos that claims many innocent victims. The smart and heavily pregnant policewoman Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) follows the violent gangster duo and gradually finds out about Jerry…
The snow turns blood red
In the official FILMSTARTS review, “Fargo” received the absolute highest rating with 5 out of 5 possible stars. The conclusion of our author Alina Bacher is as follows:
“Fargo is without a doubt one of the dirtiest and darkest comedies of the 90s, taking its audience into a world between heavenly harmony and bloody brutality. If you don’t like the Coens’ special comedy, you should give the film a second chance, because the original ‘Fargo’ is a bit better. In addition to the pitch-black humor, it is this hillbilly Minnesota dialect that makes ‘Fargo’ the unforgettable movie experience that defines a cult classic.”
Anyone who wants to fully enjoy “Fargo” needs a good dose of black humor, because when the snow turns blood red, you have to have a feeling for Coen’s situational comedy. This also applies to the finale, when ‘Fargo’ enters perhaps its most iconic scene and a true bloodbath erupts, which the viewer will never forget due to its incredible absurdity. Here the Coens demonstrate their mastery in elevating everyday life into an (often cruel) celebration of the bizarre.
In addition to the provincial setting, which is one of the main characters here, it is – as usual with the Coens – the acting performances that remain in the memory. Francis McDormand, who won her first Oscar here, is an absolute stunner as the stubborn village police officer who could have a child at any moment. The same applies to the often underestimated William H. Macy, who, as a dismal failure, sets in motion a spiral of violence that earns him both sympathy and antipathy from the public.
The beautifully written, wonderfully ambivalent characters are what makes “Fargo” such a dynamic viewing experience. Even after the fifth viewing. It is not without reason that the film won an Oscar for best screenplay. That’s exactly what makes a classic.