''Fargo'' (1996 movie)- Review

Directed by: Joel Cohn
Released: 1996
Country: United States

Genre: Crime, Drama, Dark comedy

Cast: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''Fargo'' is the story of something that starts as a not-so-serious crime but then results into drastic, tragic, dreadful consequences that affect the lives of many people. A visual beauty with great atmosphere and cinematography, ''Fargo'' is a film that remains unforgettable; it's not easy to forget how beautiful, how atmospheric the film looks, and throughout the film, so many unexpected things, shocking things happen; there is the great screenplay, there is occasional humor, and of course, there is Frances McDormand, who undoubtedly gives an amazing performance. Unforgettable gem.

It all starts when Jerry (William H. Macy) urgently needs some money, and gets in touch with criminals Carl (Buscemi) and Gaear (Stormare), and asks them to kidnap his wife, Jean. He will ask his wealthy father-in-law to pay the ransom for Jean, and will keep some of the ransom money, and after Carl and Gaear get the rest of the ransom money, Jean will be released. Simple, it sounds. Really simple. And Jerry doesn't worry much because he knows that Jean won't be hurt; as soon as the ransom money is paid off, Jean will be released.

Jean is eventually kidnapped, but, then... the idea had been simple, quite harmless, but nothing goes according to the original plan. ultimately, this crime leads to murders, bloodshed, tragedies, and more murders... the crime results into more crimes, drastic consequences... and the police has to intervene. The investigation is done by Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), a pregnant police chief, and in spite of her pregnancy and health, she is extremely dedicated to her work, calm, hardworking, and witty. She looks into the horrible crimes that take place throughout the film, and ultimately, none but her can solve the case.

Jerry had meant it as a harmless little venture, but who could have guessed the drastic consequences of this, of the crime that had been meant to be so simple? 

Frances McDormand gives an amazing performance, as the amusing, intelligent and hardworking police chief, dedicated to her husband, dedicated to her work, dedicated to figuring out the reasons for the inhumanity and tragedies that take place over the course of the film. She definitely deserved the Oscar she won that year! 

Steve Buscemi is quite amazing too, and so is Peter Stormare. Buscemi's performance as Carl, the one can understand that his life is falling apart because of the crimes that they are committing. Gaear, on the other hand, is the impassive one; I can't remember if he ever smiled or showed much emotion throughout the film. Impassive and never displaying his emotions, yet violent and cruel.

Another performances that I must mention is that of Kristin Rudrud, as Jean. The role is quite small and has very little screen presence, but during the scene the character is chased by Carl and Gaear, Rudrud's performance was so strong, as the scared and innocent Jean that I felt so much pity, so much sympathy for the character. Amazing performance by Rudrud.

The snow, and the cinematography, and the locations, create a very beautiful atmosphere and looks throughout the film. There is humor, too, and there is the overall tragedy, the overall severity of the situation. It's a film that shows us how dreadful things like this can be, how a simple crime can result into serious tragedies, graver crimes. It is an unforgettable film, atmospheric, shocking, saddening, and thought-provoking.

5 out of 5