Film Review: Fargo


Info:
Length: 98 mins
Rating: 18
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

This being my first Coen brothers films, I wasn’t sure what to expect, it didn’t disappoint:
“A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere”
Every shot in Fargo is executed like a piece of art, there is absolutely nothing wasted in this film, as what would seem dull, unimaginative, establishing scenes are turned into mini masterpieces of cineotopic gold. Fargo is as black as black comedy can get, it washes over you in a wave, your head just bobbing above the water level, your lapping up the fluid and the truth is you love it.
What makes a film like this, done a hundred different times, in a hundred different ways, so good? Joel and Ethan Coen’s script is the crux, a wickedly funny and quirky screenplay, even more enforced by the continual innocence of the snow that imbues the film. The Coen brothers have also impregnated the film with a rich and regional flair; authentic from the weather to the clothes to (especially good) the accents. It was so real I was actually hungry for back bacon, after watching it.

Fargo's brilliance lies not only with its way of thrilling its audience but also adding a slight comical effect to quite a serious number of events. 'Jerry' (main character) has more to him than what first meets the eye, when we first meet him he seems an innocent but in the first dialogue sequence this is reversed and consequently plays out the main objective of the film. Jerry money problems are affecting him and he comes up with cunning plan to get the money. He pays two corrupt gangsters to kidnap his wife in which he hopes to get part of the ransom for her with his father rich in law paying for her daughter to be released. This subsequently doesn't go to plan and blood is shed.

I believed Fargo's dark aspects and comical effects to be very enjoyable and a worth while watch. Its integrity to entertain and thrill is somewhat mystifying and shows really what the Coens are capable of.