Fargo (1996)

My Review

“Fargo” is an outstanding black comedy film about pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson who investigates a series of related murders. The writing by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen is excellent, with crisp direction by the former and outstanding production efforts by the later.

“Fargo” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, losing out to the dreary and inferior “The English Patient.” It won Best Actress for Frances McDormand and Best Original Screenplay for the Coens. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Macy), Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins), and Best Film Editing.

McDormand delivered an exceptional performance as something of a Minnesota-Swede version of Columbo. McDormand and fellow cast members captured this America subculture in superb fashion. They include William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell, Kristen Rudrud, Tony Denman, John Carroll Lynch, Steve Reevis, and singer Jose Feliciano as himself. All part of the watchable “Fargo,” an independent film that was a big smash at the box office. It was filmed in Minnesota and North Dakota.