FARGO MOVIE REVIEW

Joel Coen’s Fargo tells the “true story” of a murder case in Minnesota that is depicted through three varying perspectives that all play a part in the story at hand through the eyes of a pregnant police chief (played by Frances McDormand), a salesman (played by William H. Macy) and the two criminals (played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare).

So, I just watched this for the very first time on Netflix. I was doing the typical channel-searching method of wanting to just watch something but looking to get invested into something through the night. I am a big fan of the work of the Coen Brothers through their work such as The Big Lebowski, True Grit, their recent The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and No Country For Old Men being my favorite of their work I have seen. So going into, I knew of the reception it has had from many people and the acclaimed television show that followed many years later.

The first thing to say is that the writing is as witty and gripping as any other Coen Brothers picture. The distinction that the Coens bare that makes him different from the likes of a Tarantino, whom I would say share similar mechanics as to how they write their stories, is how they find their balance in between. The brilliance of the screenplay is how you find humor in things that you wouldn’t necessarily find funny in real life. But through the illusion that the film paints itself, which incidentally had fooled a lot of viewers who had watched it including myself, makes the sequences feel more grounded yet very humorous. Because Fargo is not meant to be a crime story. It is indeed a comedy in a tonally dark circumstance. And I found that to be an interesting way in presenting this story.

Out of all the performances, while mind you are solid across the board, Steve Buscemi is terrific. His fiery outbursts and Joe Pesci-esque quality made him an extremely compelling and fantastically well realized character that made me want to see more of than anybody else.

Beyond that, I have to say, while I found the story to be investing and the performances to be lively and fun and it has a lot on its mind thematically, beyond all that, I was just adjusting to the way it was telling its “true story”. As previously mentioned, the film begins with text that describes what we’re about to watch is a true tragedy that had taken place when in reality that just isn't true. And the only way I knew about it was because of research I did on it afterwards and finding out that that text was completely untrue. Because of that, my viewing of it became more concerning than exciting as I was under the impression from the start that what was being depicted was from our reality in some form and its exaggerated form of telling was, albeit extremely fun and appealing, at points uncomfortable as the illusion painted never revealed itself to be one. And I know that there is a point that the filmmakers are wanting to be made through it but I do take issue in manipulating an audience into that form of storytelling and not giving a wink or a sign that it just isn’t true. Instead, once it’s all set in stone afterwards, you’re ultimately left feeling tricked than elevated and finding a deeper meaning within its own world.

Frances McDormand is a fascinating case for me. While she is clearly providing a lot to her roles and is passionate in all the right ways, in the case of her role in Fargo, I never felt anything for her beyond the idea that she is still an active police officer while also being pregnant. As a character, beyond her titles, I just can never find myself seeing and feeling the in-depth knowledge that is clearly being provided. And this is evident in many roles that Frances has done. And I can’t say it’s solely her to blame but her navigation into how she portrays her characters feels more blocked than anything else. Because you can clearly see the deeper meanings that her characters hold but you can never find yourself to emotionally resonate with them. The titles are what ultimately drives her parts and I just can’t see myself caring beyond what she’s further telling even though I see the passion and the care that Frances is delivering.

So while I don’t agree with its intentions and its form of presentation, even under its illusion, I still find myself to be enjoyed by its stellar writing by the Coens, its visual depiction of its landscape (done by the great Roger Deakins) and through an extremely compelling Steve Buscemi. The problem with Fargo is that it shouldn't exist in the form that it does. Its illusion does affect your emotional draw into the story in some capacities. It’s violent, comical, witty and extremely investing. I just don’t fully agree with how they choose to paint their picture. And yet, I still say that Fargo is quite good.

Grade: B+