Review and analysis of Jerry Lundegaard's downfall that leads up to the parking lot scene from the Coen Brothers' 1996 film 'Fargo' Follow me on Twitter: / rdotmartian
There are three things I got perfectly clear from this movie: 1) Jerry's father in law and his associate are not a bank, 2) Carl is not going to debate Jerry, and 3) Shep doesn't vouch for people he doesn't know.
Kinda surprised you didn't mention the fact that when Jerry went to the meeting with his father in law, he wasn't even offered a seat. Instead, he had to stand there awkwardly throughout that terrible (for him) conversation.
That's interesting. For the amount of times I have seen this film, that's something I never picked up on. That's why I love 'Fargo' so much. There is always something new every single time you watch it. Thanks for checking out my video and for pointing that out!
Good point. Jerry is like a kid in the principal's office; outnumbered by rich and powerful men who basically think he's a worm (especially Wade). This was his last chance to be like the big shots he admired, and Wade just rolls his eyes, and is like, "All right, what's your fee, loser?"
Bunpei Shiratori yes, it always felt to me in that scene that they were like the wolves and Jerry was the sheep. It's like they deliberately created that awkward situation to unsettle him before they go in for the kill.
I liked that part too. They deliberately did not have a seat ready for the man, whom they thought was the finder, and to whom they were ready to pay the standard 10% payoff for the work Jerry did. ($75k in 1996 wasn't a bad deal for one sales job. We can assume that his wife would be genuinely proud of her husband, kindhearted Midwestern woman that she was.) It's almost as if the old man could foresee that his screw up of a son-in-law was about to "muck it up" again. The old man was not disappointed. He got to keep the extra $75k.
The physical comedy of Jerry trying to figure out where to sit in Wade's office is poignant. This demonstrates to the viewer that Jerry is out of his league, and has no place in Wade's office. Even though there are numerous empty chairs present in the office, their respective locations and orientations make it crystal clear that none of the seats are meant for Jerry. After several uncomfortable seconds of confusion, Jerry eventually decides to sit on the _arm_ of one of the chairs. This is scene is so brilliant. You ask _Stan Grossman..._ he'll tell ya the same thing.
I've always thought of the parking lot scene as being the view from Wade's office window and Wade was wathcing him. After Jerry attacks his windshield with the scraper, he glances up, as if he's looking at Wade's window knowing he's being watched. Fargo is one of my alltime favorate movies!
Trivia: Wade admonishes Jerry telling him to go to Bill Diehl at Midwest Federal. Stan Grossman then corrects him staring that Bill now works at Northstar. Although the movie (shot in 1995) is based in 1987, this is a nod to the collapse of Midwest Federal that occured in 1989 owing to bad housing like loans, similar to the 2008 crash.
I moved to Minnesota in 2000 and worked with a guy for about a year who was present at the filming of the parking lot scene. He said the Coen Brothers filmed it two different ways. Once with the lot full of cars and once with the lot empty except for Jerry’s car. The coworker told me one of the cars in the full lot was driven by him. I can’t remember if the car was actually his or if he was just hired to move a random car.
To me the fact that illustrates his complete impotence is that when he has his little hissy fit and the ice scraper goes flying, he simply picks it up and goes back to scraping. He can't even sustain his anger more than about 10 seconds.
I too have always been struck by that shot. It's like the two guys he just left are looking down at him...his father in law seeing him as the small man that he is...
Very cool interpretation. It could be them, the audience, a higher power looking down at Jerry... or everyone all together. Either way, he is indeed a small person and insignificant to those (along with the surroundings) around him. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
2ToyBoys I always pictured that too. They'd be silently shaking their heads at his tantrum. The father-in-law would be thinking even less of the man who married his daughter--a man who turned down more than a year's salary on a *single* deal!!, no less) to throw a tantrum in a snowy parking lot. (Watch the scene in the John Candy movie 'Delirious'. In it a never-do-well attempts to break his father's Ming dynasty Chinese vase. The "fragile" ancient vase bounces harmlessly on the hardwood floor. The father sadly shakes his head muttering, "you can't even do *that* right, can you?")
The line about Bill Diehl and Midwest Federal is an inside joke for Minnesotans. The late Bill Diehl was a film critic for the St. Paul paper, and Midwest Federal was a failed savings and loan who's owner went to prison for fraud.
@@davidmorin6667 It is. That's the Coen Brothers being "quirky". The film is actually set in Bemidji, a northern Minnesota college town. Or maybe it was Brainerd, another northern Minnesota town.
@@davidmorin6667 Yes. The opening bar scene takes place in Fargo, as well as the ending "motel arrest" scene. Most of the action is in and around Brainerd, Minnesota.
If there is one theme in the movie, it is this: a deal is NOT a deal (deals get broken throughout the movie, from the very start when Jerry shows up later than the so-called agreed-upon time for the Fargo meeting and Carl gets ticked off about it). Even Bill Diehl is off--he "worked" for a fraudulent financial firm.
An important detail overlooked here is that when Jerry enters the office the only other suitably positioned chair is already taken by the assistant. He looks around for somewhere to sit and is forced to sit awkwardly on the arm rest of a chair pointed away from his father in law. A subtle underscoring of how he's being written out of the deal, the odd man out in general. A superb, intelligent masterpiece of a film.
One thing that impressed me about the parking lot scene, is after Jerry's frustrated outburst, before he picks up the snowbrush, he sheepishly and defeatedly looks up at the building, nearly at the same angle as the above shot. My thought was he didn't want anyone, especially Wade, to see him defeated and frustrated. Also, any good Minnesotan knows to turn the scraper over and use the teeth on the reverse of the blade to score the ice to be able to be able to scrape the windshield clean.
+Glenn Dower Very true and I never noticed that about the angle. Good eye! As far as the scraper, even here in Pennsylvania we know to use the side with the teeth! Thanks for the view and comment.
I don’t know why the ice was there at all, apart from showing Jerry’s frustration. Presumably he drove TO Wade’s office less than an hour before, why is his windshield icy at all? The tire tracks are still there.
4:46-6:08 I'm a little surprised you didn't make note of the jail cell symbolism here. Those window flaps turned at that angle make them look like bars in a jail cell, symbolizing Jerry's criminal behavior, and his inevitable, and well-deserved, fate at the end of the movie.
+Jackson Rushing very good observation and something I've missed all of these years. It's something I'll have to look out for the next time I watch it. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
Ryan Martian No prob. I actually didn't notice it myself - it had to be pointed out to me by another analysis video: "GoGo's Critical Corner: Fargo". Quite frankly, I'm shocked I didn't notice it beforehand.
@@pyromania1018 Jerry's photo on the salesman's wall is the only one that isn't a headshot, and his arms are crossed at the wrists, as if he were already in handcuffs. He's done from the very beginning.
Also my favorite shot of my favorite film. As a film buff/cinesnob, as well as a Scandinavian who has spent much time in Minnesota, this film holds a special place in my heart. As Marge's apex was with Mike Yamagata, this is Jerry's apex moment in the film, his last chance, his "if you leave now, don't turn back" event. That tire track crossroad might as well be a set of train tracks with lights flashing and horns blasting. He can stop, go back, explain his failures to 2 smart, resourceful men, and possibly save his - and his family's - life. Instead, he makes - as is the norm for him - the wrong choice, and blindly walks to the car, never to turn back, and taking the lives of so many with him.
Great video. Please do more on Fargo. Your analysis is incredibly enlightening. We all knew this film was special, your insight only makes it better. Bravo!
The tire tracks make a sign of the cross and right as Jerry crosses the center you hear Burwell's version of the old Norwegian folk song, "The Lost Sheep" start to play
The gray windows in the office scene were necessary because there wasn’t any snow. It’s the same for the two kidnappers in the car driving next to a concrete wall. They weren’t going to film there but the countryside had little snow so that was the solution.
8:13-the exchange makes me giggle so hard as well. I like to think of these guys arguing over something so innocuous while Jerry knows his wife has been kidnapped. Something about that is just so oddly funny to me!
7:40 The point of this aside is that this is another day of business for them, but it's make-or-break for Jerry. It's funny because we, the audience, know how important this is to Jerry, and unknown to them, how important it is to the safety of Jerry's wife. The irony is what makes it funny, and notable.
Brilliant. Out of the 100's of times I've watched 'Fargo' I missed a few of your points. I always loved the Ole Bill Deal exchange and the parking lot shot. The windshield always made sense as the cloudy outlook but there are things I just missed. Thanks. EXCELLENT. I'm subscribing!
Thanks so much! The Coen Brothers make their films seem very simple, but they cram so much in (in a tasteful and intelligent way. It's what makes Fargo so rewatchable and rewarding with each view. Thanks for the sub and comment!
I just realized we have a silent guy and an over-talker in Shep and Carl just as we have this dynamic with the two kidnappers. In some sense, the criminals are dark mirror of Shep and Carl, who are at risk of becoming more like their outwardly violent and malicious violent talking and silent counterparts.
Great analysis, thank you. Small side note...I live in the Great Lakes and 2 unrealistic things about this scene always bother me. First, ice wouldn't form on the windshield even at sub-zero temperatures that quickly. That's overnight ice, not "in a meeting for 30 minutes" ice. Secondly, every Midwesterner would start the car and crank up the heat before getting out and scraping.
As northern I agree. There are several scenes in the film in which people are dressed for -45 weather,,but anyone who lives in a northern climate could tell it just wasn't that cold. Specifically the scene where a cop stops to talk to a home owner out clearing the ice in front of his driveway. The guy is wearing a full parka with a hood. But anyone living in a northern climate can tell by the street and the look, that it just isn't as cold as implied.
As a Northeast Ohioan I definitely agree with you! The first time I watched this absolute masterpiece of a movie I had that same exact thought, definitely overnight ice.
The ice on the windshield implies that Jerry was made to wait a long time before being allowed to come into Wade's office. Why was he made to wait? Because neither Wade nor his assistant respect him one bit. That is what people in power due to those whom they don't respect.
Excellent analysis, thank you. I was a financial auditor for many years and did not always feel welcomed by the management of the places I audited. I was also the man they sent to make collections on outstanding loans in another life. But however unwelcome I might be, I was always offered a chair in the office of the man I was visiting. The device used in this film, of making Jerry sit on the arm of a chair, and hold his coat in his lap, while a $750,000 business deal is discussed, is never brought up in any analysis for some reason. This device is used in other films to make the subject of it feel insignificant and dominated, in the "Verdict" for instance.
I did sub. Your analysis was amazingly written. You cast a light on the Cohen Bros that a lot of us Share. Keep up the good work. I also noticed the audio was super clean and that you yourself paid quite a bit of attention to detail. For example, I did not know about the Director of Cinematography at all, much less their Iconic importance, your early video mentions and the quick but engaging highlight of not only the role, but also honorable mention to some of the greats, AS WELL as those who the Cohen Bros. have used made me aware and interested in learning more. Your video is kind of making me view all of the filmography work I know of differently. HAHA This video inspires me to re-watch every movie I've ever seen from the earliest onward from 'new eyes'! You know what that makes this video for me? Inspirational. A true gem here. Great vid!
As just another data point, when I watched this movie, that particular shot jarred me like no other part of the movie. Something about it at that particular time really hit something intuitively, and I'm not sure what it was.
The parking lot scene is extra hilarious because I lived in MN and Jerry's effort to break the ice buildup on the windshield couldn't be more accurate.
That shot definitely got my attention. I haven't seen this movie in years, so I'd forgotten much of it. When I saw that shot on UA-cam, it took me a moment to realize what it was; at first I thought it was a modern art painting. Great analysis. Thank you.
The whole parking lot was fake snow created overnight by a team because of a warm winter. Also when he is scraping the ice, that scene was filmed farther north and not in the parking lot.
I adore this movie. But there is one glaring script error I can’t ignore. If Shep never met or saw Showalter, how did he find and attack him, and how did Showalter immediately recognize him? It’s troubled me for years. Just wanted to vent. Great analysis sir!
I was always a little confused about Shep's relationship with Carl. At the dealership, he casually remarks that he didn't know him at all, yet later he was able to track him down at the hotel with the prostitute and beat him. I wondered if Buscemi's character was supposed to be Grimsrud, and they just switched the names because Peter Stormare was more "foreign-sounding," and deserved the more foreign-sounding name. But that wouldn't make sense either, because the last think Carl says to Gaer is "If you see your friend Shep Proudfoot, tell him I'm gonna nail his fuckin' ass!" So we're back to Gaer (Stormare) being Shep's friend, which still leaves out the part where Shep meets Carl, which is impossible, because they go from kidnapping Jean to hiding out by the lake.
A lot of people have pointed this out over the years and some believe it's a plot hole or sloppy storytelling. While this is possible, I believe it's possible that at some point Carl and Shep did actually meet and Shep was lying to Jerry. The more logical explanation is that Shep got in touch with Gaer (off camera) and told Shep where Carl was.
I was wondering the same thing, about how carl and shep Allegedly don't know each other, but shep is not only able to track carl down, but Carl immediately recognizes shep when he pulls the prostitute off of him. Says something like 'what are you doing shep, I was banging that chick?' I thought I had missed something, because I wouldn't think the directors would overlook something like that, as it's not really a minor detail, but now that I've seen it about ten times, I'm convinced that I didn't actually miss something, and maybe the directors did.
How did Wade manage to get his hands on a million dollars in cash so quickly? In real life, the FBI would have been notified and called in because the only reason someone would need that much money in cash is to purchase drugs or payoff kidnappers, both criminal acts! Other things that make no sense, after they kidnap Jerry's wife it shouldn't have taken more than an hour or so to get to the cabin on Bear Lake which was within the city limits of Brainerd about 60 miles north of the twin cities, yet the kidnappers are seen driving all night and only arriving at the cabin the next morning!
I’m confused. Wade was independently wealthy and probably has several million at his disposal. Why would the FBI have to be notified when he’s spending his own money? You’re saying...What’re you saying?
@@DavidWilliams-so2dy I'm sayin, if Wade were to go into his bank and demand one million dollars in cash, (the FBI is notified on any transaction over 10k), they would have been immediately notified because there's really no reason to need that much cash unless its for an illegal activity such as drug dealing. Once the feds questioned Wade and found out it was actually ransom money, they would have had no choice but to get involved anyway. Another thing that makes no sense is, once Wade brings the money back to Jerry's house, its sitting there overnight. Why didn't Jerry get up in the middle of the night and take the money somewhere and hide it and then tell Wade he gave it to the kidnappers who then took off with it?
@@prophetmargin7497 I didn’t know that. Being poor I’ve no reason to. But still some rich guy buys a home and property for $2M and pays cash and the FBI has to know? Then what? Do they come in to verify where the money went?
@@DavidWilliams-so2dy Yes, any transaction over 10k is automatically reported to the federal government. If they suspect foul play, they will have the FBI look into it. Wade demanding a million dollars in cash would have definitely set off alarm bells everywhere. The real question the film never answered is, why did Jerry need the money so bad because he really didn't seem to have any escape plan in place? Where did he plan on going or doing with the money?
@@prophetmargin7497 Interesting. However I confess to being mildly disappointed that you didn’t acknowledge the little snippet of Fargo dialogue that I cleverly threw in.
A great analysis. You pointed out things I missed after several viewings. I'll watch it again right now. Ryan, did you notice that when Gunderson looks at Jerry's wife's photo, that it's next to a stature of a golfer, but his golf club looks like an ax. Later, we find out she's dead.
Siskel & Ebert mentioned this scene in their ecstatic reviews of this movie, apparently a delayed review show, because they noted how a prominent car company had used this very image in their ad.
The brilliance of the shot notwithstanding, I never really understood why would Jerry park his car so far out into the empty parking lot. Also what did Jerry do with that 350k he swindled from insurance companies?
6:40 the dull grey windows and light remind me of the opening scene of The Shining with the Overlook manager and other guy. Similar dull lighting and 3 guys having a discussion with a lot more going on beneath the surface... 10:00 this shot reminds me of The Shining too.. when Jack is looking down at the maze model in the hotel, and assumes a "Godlike" view of Danny and Wendy walking in the real maze outside, while it slowly zooms in. very cool. i think the Coen Bros were certainly inspired by Kubrick in many ways
I never understood why he didn’t start the car and turn in the heat before getting out to scrape the ice. The defrost would have helped. This is a favorite of mine! There is so much that went into this to frame the whole film.
One of my favorite scenes is from the movie Witness. Near the end there is confrontation between Ford/Book and his boss where everyone one is screaming at each other all at once. Either a fortunate ad lib or great writing and directing.
All of that and the amazing part is the filming of this scene occurred in unusually warm weather and the snow is artificial and framed to look as more then there actually was.
@ryan_martin Great analysis! Thanks for sharing. I have always been fascinated with cinematography and will be following your channel from now on. My only question about this analysis (besides the not being offered a seat) is regarding the 'crossroads' tire tracks. Do they represent the traditional 'crossroads' of Robert Johnson where Jerry tried to sell his soul to the devil? Does the other set belong to Wade and Stan and represent the 'right and reasonable path' in complete contradiction to Jerry's 'wrong and lacking any reason whatsoever path'? There are many possible interpretations but I would love to hear yours! Please share
Interesting analysis, enjoyed viewing it. I always wondered in this scene why Jerry’s car is parked so remotely in the lot. It obviously sets up the visual you’ve described here, but given the relatively short meeting Jerry has with Wade and Stan, it doesn’t seem as if the lot could have been that full when he went in. In a way I guess it fits Jerry’s whole storyline: we’re not really sure why he makes the decisions he does other than he doesn’t think things through. I’ve always appreciated the fact that Jerry’s need for large amounts of money is a McGuffin. Is he just a greedy sociopath? Is he so desperate to be a big shot that he’s got multiple scams going? Is he so passively-aggressive towards Wade that he is embezzling from Wade’s car dealership and kidnapping his daughter all at the same time? We never know why Jerry is doing the things he does, we just know it drives the plot forward
i love this movie. top 5 for sure. 1) It was supposed a 2pm meeting - looks later in the day 2) who has office furniture that fold up like that? Also, when Marge and Norm are eating at the buffet and the trooper brings Marge some info. The trooper asks Norm about going ice fishing, Norm replies "After lunch." I was surprised he didn't say "After dinner". I know from first hand experience from living Jamestown, ND after moving from PA. I was doing CI training and at 11:00am and the instructor said, "We'll complete this module and then break for dinner". I was flabbergasted. My co-workers then educated me that meant lunch not supper(dinner)...Btw, the people of Jamestown ND are some of the nicest people I've known.
As any older Minnesotan could tell you, lunch is the midday meal, supper is the afternoon/early evening meal, and dinner is on Sunday afternoon after church or on a Holiday.
6 років тому+5
i agree to some points but you really overanalyze some things that i think are simpler (ice on the window for instance)
Not just his insignificance, but his isolation: his problems are his own doing, swallowing him up. Watch what happens every time Jerry might have a moment to think about his next step: he gets interrupted. He never has time to stop and think-events slowly spin out of his control and he can only react (like a cornered rat). I also think the scene of him getting off the phone call with his father in law is telling: he has good news to share but doesn't feel he can share it with his wife. Either she wouldn't understand or they just don't share any emotional connection (typical thing for Minnesotans of Scandinavian descent). Jerry is both financially and emotionally isolated.
Hot take: Jerry reuses his footprints he already laid in the snow demonstrates his constant cop out decision of taking the path with least resistance. Jerry tries to manipulate things to his favor only as far as someone let's him, then instantly backs down at the slightest sign of unpleasantness. He would rather kiss someone's feet in person to avoid any pain for himself, but as soon as no one's watching will try to get away with as much as he can, only to grovel and beg for forgiveness and portray himself as pathetic to the people he tries to screw over in the shadows if he is even slightly confronted about it
You guys are making stuff into what it ain't. If you ever spent every winter of your life in snow, you would know you always walk in the already used foot prints. It keeps the amount of snow getting in your shoes to a minimum. You are reading much too much into this.
You'd get an A+ in advanced English lit. Do you have one of the TV scene change from the cabin to Marge's bedroom, where there is a documentary about bugs tsking larvae back to feed their young?
When I saw this I thought it was a flaw that he didn’t start the car and turn on the defroster but I guess that may have said something about his character too.
You need to re-watch the scene where Jerry talks to Shep. As he walks away, look at his body language. His body language says "oh shit...what am I gonna do now?" Re-watch it, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
+mrtony80 oh you're absolutely right. I guess my main point was how quickly Jerry gave up trying to find a phone number. His initial demeanor and body language was another example of Minnesota Nice. But it's true, he quickly changes to a state of panic. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
Ryan Martian No problem. I loved your analysis. 'Fargo' is one of my favorite films of all time. Quick question, though - do you know if there is any explanation as to why Shep initially didn't know who Carl was when Jerry approached him, but then very much knew who he was when he went after him in motel when he was "banging" the hooker?
+mrtony80 it's never seen on camera, but I have a feeling he either did some calling around or maybe even got in touch with Grimsrud somehow. We all know Grimsrud couldn't stand Carl so I wouldn't be surprised if he told Shep where he was. Just a theory, obviously.
Ryan Martian I think that theory is a bit farfetched. lol. I think it's just a mistake in an otherwise flawlessly written film. But I was wondering if the Coens had ever addressed it.
mrtony80 I've never seen a video of them addressing this potential plot hole. I guess they didn't think it would be too distracting if they didn't explain it in the actual film. I just always assumed he called around and found out. Carl wasn't being very cautious after all.
My brother had a FIL just like Wade. This type of person is insufferable to be around trust me. The guy had the partner, the big factory, etc. He would come over to my brother's house (which he had bought for his daughter) and tell my brother to cut the grass and trim the shubbery. The guy was an relentless know it all. I remember him telling everyone that AOL was the all time greatest company and the only stock to buy. Finally, my brother quit working for him and went out on his own. My brother became very successful but to his dying day his FIL treated him like he was an idiot.
You can attach metaphor and meaning to anything and it appears you have done just that with the parking lot scene, but I don't find it particularly profound. It's like a painting....some people find deep meaning it and some don't. You found deep profundity where I don't. It doesn't mean you're crazy or I'm blind...it's just opinion.
There are three things I got perfectly clear from this movie: 1) Jerry's father in law and his associate are not a bank, 2) Carl is not going to debate Jerry, and 3) Shep doesn't vouch for people he doesn't know.
4) Long term parking charges by the day.
5) The Radisson is a reasonable place for lunch in the downtown area.
@@DaveLeperre I know it's the Radisson, so it's pretty good.
If you are an engineer and you work for Honeywell you could do a lot worse
And that Bill Diehll is not at Midwest Federal
Kinda surprised you didn't mention the fact that when Jerry went to the meeting with his father in law, he wasn't even offered a seat. Instead, he had to stand there awkwardly throughout that terrible (for him) conversation.
That's interesting. For the amount of times I have seen this film, that's something I never picked up on. That's why I love 'Fargo' so much. There is always something new every single time you watch it. Thanks for checking out my video and for pointing that out!
I love the movie too.
Good point. Jerry is like a kid in the principal's office; outnumbered by rich and powerful men who basically think he's a worm (especially Wade). This was his last chance to be like the big shots he admired, and Wade just rolls his eyes, and is like, "All right, what's your fee, loser?"
Bunpei Shiratori yes, it always felt to me in that scene that they were like the wolves and Jerry was the sheep. It's like they deliberately created that awkward situation to unsettle him before they go in for the kill.
I liked that part too. They deliberately did not have a seat ready for the man, whom they thought was the finder, and to whom they were ready to pay the standard 10% payoff for the work Jerry did. ($75k in 1996 wasn't a bad deal for one sales job. We can assume that his wife would be genuinely proud of her husband, kindhearted Midwestern woman that she was.)
It's almost as if the old man could foresee that his screw up of a son-in-law was about to "muck it up" again. The old man was not disappointed. He got to keep the extra $75k.
The physical comedy of Jerry trying to figure out where to sit in Wade's office is poignant. This demonstrates to the viewer that Jerry is out of his league, and has no place in Wade's office. Even though there are numerous empty chairs present in the office, their respective locations and orientations make it crystal clear that none of the seats are meant for Jerry. After several uncomfortable seconds of confusion, Jerry eventually decides to sit on the _arm_ of one of the chairs. This is scene is so brilliant.
You ask _Stan Grossman..._ he'll tell ya the same thing.
Omg that was so funny… last line came out of nowhere
@@monzersaid 😁
This has got to be one of the most rewatchable movies of all time. Loved your analysis.
Most of Cohen brothers movies are reallly
I've always thought of the parking lot scene as being the view from Wade's office window and Wade was wathcing him. After Jerry attacks his windshield with the scraper, he glances up, as if he's looking at Wade's window knowing he's being watched. Fargo is one of my alltime favorate movies!
Trivia: Wade admonishes Jerry telling him to go to Bill Diehl at Midwest Federal. Stan Grossman then corrects him staring that Bill now works at Northstar. Although the movie (shot in 1995) is based in 1987, this is a nod to the collapse of Midwest Federal that occured in 1989 owing to bad housing like loans, similar to the 2008 crash.
I don't vouch for him.
Don't know how, don't vouch for him.
I moved to Minnesota in 2000 and worked with a guy for about a year who was present at the filming of the parking lot scene. He said the Coen Brothers filmed it two different ways. Once with the lot full of cars and once with the lot empty except for Jerry’s car. The coworker told me one of the cars in the full lot was driven by him. I can’t remember if the car was actually his or if he was just hired to move a random car.
To me the fact that illustrates his complete impotence is that when he has his little hissy fit and the ice scraper goes flying, he simply picks it up and goes back to scraping. He can't even sustain his anger more than about 10 seconds.
This is a detail, like others, that made this movie simply unbelievable piece of art.
I too have always been struck by that shot. It's like the two guys he just left are looking down at him...his father in law seeing him as the small man that he is...
Very cool interpretation. It could be them, the audience, a higher power looking down at Jerry... or everyone all together. Either way, he is indeed a small person and insignificant to those (along with the surroundings) around him. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
2ToyBoys
I always pictured that too. They'd be silently shaking their heads at his tantrum. The father-in-law would be thinking even less of the man who married his daughter--a man who turned down more than a year's salary on a *single* deal!!, no less) to throw a tantrum in a snowy parking lot.
(Watch the scene in the John Candy movie 'Delirious'. In it a never-do-well attempts to break his father's Ming dynasty Chinese vase. The "fragile" ancient vase bounces harmlessly on the hardwood floor. The father sadly shakes his head muttering, "you can't even do *that* right, can you?")
The line about Bill Diehl and Midwest Federal is an inside joke for Minnesotans. The late Bill Diehl was a film critic for the St. Paul paper, and Midwest Federal was a failed savings and loan who's owner went to prison for fraud.
I thought Fargo was in South or North Dakota
@@davidmorin6667 It is. That's the Coen Brothers being "quirky". The film is actually set in Bemidji, a northern Minnesota college town. Or maybe it was Brainerd, another northern Minnesota town.
@@davidmorin6667 Yes. The opening bar scene takes place in Fargo, as well as the ending "motel arrest" scene. Most of the action is in and around Brainerd, Minnesota.
If there is one theme in the movie, it is this: a deal is NOT a deal (deals get broken throughout the movie, from the very start when Jerry shows up later than the so-called agreed-upon time for the Fargo meeting and Carl gets ticked off about it). Even Bill Diehl is off--he "worked" for a fraudulent financial firm.
An important detail overlooked here is that when Jerry enters the office the only other suitably positioned chair is already taken by the assistant. He looks around for somewhere to sit and is forced to sit awkwardly on the arm rest of a chair pointed away from his father in law. A subtle underscoring of how he's being written out of the deal, the odd man out in general. A superb, intelligent masterpiece of a film.
One thing that impressed me about the parking lot scene, is after Jerry's frustrated outburst, before he picks up the snowbrush, he sheepishly and defeatedly looks up at the building, nearly at the same angle as the above shot.
My thought was he didn't want anyone, especially Wade, to see him defeated and frustrated.
Also, any good Minnesotan knows to turn the scraper over and use the teeth on the reverse of the blade to score the ice to be able to be able to scrape the windshield clean.
+Glenn Dower Very true and I never noticed that about the angle. Good eye! As far as the scraper, even here in Pennsylvania we know to use the side with the teeth! Thanks for the view and comment.
First of all start the ca up and start thr defroster
I can't imagine any good Minnesotan calling it a snowbrush.
Unbelievable Jerry didn't turn on the car and heat before trying to scrape the ice
I don’t know why the ice was there at all, apart from showing Jerry’s frustration.
Presumably he drove TO Wade’s office less than an hour before, why is his windshield icy at all? The tire tracks are still there.
I always wondered how that much ice could accumulate on the windshield when the meeting only lasted a few minutes.
4:46-6:08
I'm a little surprised you didn't make note of the jail cell symbolism here. Those window flaps turned at that angle make them look like bars in a jail cell, symbolizing Jerry's criminal behavior, and his inevitable, and well-deserved, fate at the end of the movie.
+Jackson Rushing very good observation and something I've missed all of these years. It's something I'll have to look out for the next time I watch it. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
Ryan Martian No prob. I actually didn't notice it myself - it had to be pointed out to me by another analysis video: "GoGo's Critical Corner: Fargo". Quite frankly, I'm shocked I didn't notice it beforehand.
@@pyromania1018 Jerry's photo on the salesman's wall is the only one that isn't a headshot, and his arms are crossed at the wrists, as if he were already in handcuffs. He's done from the very beginning.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
@@tommytimp I didn't notice that! Good eye!
Also my favorite shot of my favorite film. As a film buff/cinesnob, as well as a Scandinavian who has spent much time in Minnesota, this film holds a special place in my heart. As Marge's apex was with Mike Yamagata, this is Jerry's apex moment in the film, his last chance, his "if you leave now, don't turn back" event. That tire track crossroad might as well be a set of train tracks with lights flashing and horns blasting. He can stop, go back, explain his failures to 2 smart, resourceful men, and possibly save his - and his family's - life. Instead, he makes - as is the norm for him - the wrong choice, and blindly walks to the car, never to turn back, and taking the lives of so many with him.
Great video. Please do more on Fargo. Your analysis is incredibly enlightening. We all knew this film was special, your insight only makes it better. Bravo!
The tire tracks make a sign of the cross and right as Jerry crosses the center you hear Burwell's version of the old Norwegian folk song, "The Lost Sheep" start to play
The gray windows in the office scene were necessary because there wasn’t any snow. It’s the same for the two kidnappers in the car driving next to a concrete wall. They weren’t going to film there but the countryside had little snow so that was the solution.
8:13-the exchange makes me giggle so hard as well.
I like to think of these guys arguing over something so innocuous while Jerry knows his wife has been kidnapped. Something about that is just so oddly funny to me!
7:40 The point of this aside is that this is another day of business for them, but it's make-or-break for Jerry. It's funny because we, the audience, know how important this is to Jerry, and unknown to them, how important it is to the safety of Jerry's wife. The irony is what makes it funny, and notable.
You put it better than I did, but I feel the exact same way!
Brilliant. Out of the 100's of times I've watched 'Fargo' I missed a few of your points. I always loved the Ole Bill Deal exchange and the parking lot shot. The windshield always made sense as the cloudy outlook but there are things I just missed. Thanks. EXCELLENT. I'm subscribing!
Thanks so much! The Coen Brothers make their films seem very simple, but they cram so much in (in a tasteful and intelligent way. It's what makes Fargo so rewatchable and rewarding with each view. Thanks for the sub and comment!
"We're not a Bank Jerry..."
Whoa, daddy.
I just realized we have a silent guy and an over-talker in Shep and Carl just as we have this dynamic with the two kidnappers. In some sense, the criminals are dark mirror of Shep and Carl, who are at risk of becoming more like their outwardly violent and malicious violent talking and silent counterparts.
Great analysis, thank you. Small side note...I live in the Great Lakes and 2 unrealistic things about this scene always bother me. First, ice wouldn't form on the windshield even at sub-zero temperatures that quickly. That's overnight ice, not "in a meeting for 30 minutes" ice. Secondly, every Midwesterner would start the car and crank up the heat before getting out and scraping.
As northern I agree. There are several scenes in the film in which people are dressed for -45 weather,,but anyone who lives in a northern climate could tell it just wasn't that cold. Specifically the scene where a cop stops to talk to a home owner out clearing the ice in front of his driveway. The guy is wearing a full parka with a hood. But anyone living in a northern climate can tell by the street and the look, that it just isn't as cold as implied.
@@Rickshaw881 it was unseasonably warm for the area during filming.. They had to chase snow and in some scenes its manufactured.
As a Northeast Ohioan I definitely agree with you! The first time I watched this absolute masterpiece of a movie I had that same exact thought, definitely overnight ice.
The ice on the windshield implies that Jerry was made to wait a long time before being allowed to come into Wade's office. Why was he made to wait? Because neither Wade nor his assistant respect him one bit. That is what people in power due to those whom they don't respect.
This level of detail and cinematography is the reason one can watch these films a number of times.
Excellent analysis, thank you. I was a financial auditor for many years and did not always feel welcomed by the management of the places I audited. I was also the man they sent to make collections on outstanding loans in another life. But however unwelcome I might be, I was always offered a chair in the office of the man I was visiting. The device used in this film, of making Jerry sit on the arm of a chair, and hold his coat in his lap, while a $750,000 business deal is discussed, is never brought up in any analysis for some reason. This device is used in other films to make the subject of it feel insignificant and dominated, in the "Verdict" for instance.
Film is literature.
Cinematography, editing and acting are the poetry.
I enjoyed your commentary about the parking lot.
The framing of the parking lot is my all time favorite cinematic composition too!
Ice on a windshield doesn't care how pathetic a tantrum you throw. It simply is.
I did sub. Your analysis was amazingly written. You cast a light on the Cohen Bros that a lot of us Share. Keep up the good work. I also noticed the audio was super clean and that you yourself paid quite a bit of attention to detail. For example, I did not know about the Director of Cinematography at all, much less their Iconic importance, your early video mentions and the quick but engaging highlight of not only the role, but also honorable mention to some of the greats, AS WELL as those who the Cohen Bros. have used made me aware and interested in learning more. Your video is kind of making me view all of the filmography work I know of differently. HAHA This video inspires me to re-watch every movie I've ever seen from the earliest onward from 'new eyes'! You know what that makes this video for me? Inspirational. A true gem here. Great vid!
This movie is chalk full of symbolism. The white expanse of Hoth-oops Minnesota in winter is a perfect canvas to paint on.
As just another data point, when I watched this movie, that particular shot jarred me like no other part of the movie. Something about it at that particular time really hit something intuitively, and I'm not sure what it was.
The parking lot scene is extra hilarious because I lived in MN and Jerry's effort to break the ice buildup on the windshield couldn't be more accurate.
That shot definitely got my attention. I haven't seen this movie in years, so I'd forgotten much of it. When I saw that shot on UA-cam, it took me a moment to realize what it was; at first I thought it was a modern art painting. Great analysis. Thank you.
Nice work on the analysis. You should keep knocking these out.
The whole parking lot was fake snow created overnight by a team because of a warm winter. Also when he is scraping the ice, that scene was filmed farther north and not in the parking lot.
These have been great! Gonna spread the word, you deserve 100x as many views.
I adore this movie. But there is one glaring script error I can’t ignore. If Shep never met or saw Showalter, how did he find and attack him, and how did Showalter immediately recognize him? It’s troubled me for years. Just wanted to vent.
Great analysis sir!
I was always a little confused about Shep's relationship with Carl. At the dealership, he casually remarks that he didn't know him at all, yet later he was able to track him down at the hotel with the prostitute and beat him. I wondered if Buscemi's character was supposed to be Grimsrud, and they just switched the names because Peter Stormare was more "foreign-sounding," and deserved the more foreign-sounding name. But that wouldn't make sense either, because the last think Carl says to Gaer is "If you see your friend Shep Proudfoot, tell him I'm gonna nail his fuckin' ass!" So we're back to Gaer (Stormare) being Shep's friend, which still leaves out the part where Shep meets Carl, which is impossible, because they go from kidnapping Jean to hiding out by the lake.
A lot of people have pointed this out over the years and some believe it's a plot hole or sloppy storytelling. While this is possible, I believe it's possible that at some point Carl and Shep did actually meet and Shep was lying to Jerry. The more logical explanation is that Shep got in touch with Gaer (off camera) and told Shep where Carl was.
I was wondering the same thing, about how carl and shep Allegedly don't know each other, but shep is not only able to track carl down, but Carl immediately recognizes shep when he pulls the prostitute off of him. Says something like 'what are you doing shep, I was banging that chick?' I thought I had missed something, because I wouldn't think the directors would overlook something like that, as it's not really a minor detail, but now that I've seen it about ten times, I'm convinced that I didn't actually miss something, and maybe the directors did.
How did Wade manage to get his hands on a million dollars in cash so quickly? In real life, the FBI would have been notified and called in because the only reason someone would need that much money in cash is to purchase drugs or payoff kidnappers, both criminal acts! Other things that make no sense, after they kidnap Jerry's wife it shouldn't have taken more than an hour or so to get to the cabin on Bear Lake which was within the city limits of Brainerd about 60 miles north of the twin cities, yet the kidnappers are seen driving all night and only arriving at the cabin the next morning!
I’m confused. Wade was independently wealthy and probably has several million at his disposal. Why would the FBI have to be notified when he’s spending his own money? You’re saying...What’re you saying?
@@DavidWilliams-so2dy I'm sayin, if Wade were to go into his bank and demand one million dollars in cash, (the FBI is notified on any transaction over 10k), they would have been immediately notified because there's really no reason to need that much cash unless its for an illegal activity such as drug dealing. Once the feds questioned Wade and found out it was actually ransom money, they would have had no choice but to get involved anyway.
Another thing that makes no sense is, once Wade brings the money back to Jerry's house, its sitting there overnight. Why didn't Jerry get up in the middle of the night and take the money somewhere and hide it and then tell Wade he gave it to the kidnappers who then took off with it?
@@prophetmargin7497 I didn’t know that. Being poor I’ve no reason to.
But still some rich guy buys a home and property for $2M and pays cash and the FBI has to know? Then what? Do they come in to verify where the money went?
@@DavidWilliams-so2dy Yes, any transaction over 10k is automatically reported to the federal government. If they suspect foul play, they will have the FBI look into it. Wade demanding a million dollars in cash would have definitely set off alarm bells everywhere.
The real question the film never answered is, why did Jerry need the money so bad because he really didn't seem to have any escape plan in place? Where did he plan on going or doing with the money?
@@prophetmargin7497 Interesting. However I confess to being mildly disappointed that you didn’t acknowledge the little snippet of Fargo dialogue that I cleverly threw in.
A great analysis. You pointed out things I missed after several viewings. I'll watch it again right now. Ryan, did you notice that when Gunderson looks at Jerry's wife's photo, that it's next to a stature of a golfer, but his golf club looks like an ax. Later, we find out she's dead.
This movie has so many layers!
Not only does he retrace his footsteps, he even walks between the path he made with his car tires.
Siskel & Ebert mentioned this scene in their ecstatic reviews of this movie, apparently a delayed review show, because they noted how a prominent car company had used this very image in their ad.
Very interesting and I enjoyed it very much as I am also obsessed with the Coen Brothers~!!
Thanks for your time on this.
The brilliance of the shot notwithstanding, I never really understood why would Jerry park his car so far out into the empty parking lot. Also what did Jerry do with that 350k he swindled from insurance companies?
Wait wait wait. Proudfoot vouched for Buscemi. He didn’t vouch for Stormare.
A finders fee?! Heck that’s just not gonna do it for me.
We’re not a bank Jerry
Agreed, Macy owned this role. And his facial expressions cannot be overlooked, even by the casual viewer.
Except that this genius claims that Macy's facial expressions are underappreciated. He's a shitty writer.
6:40 the dull grey windows and light remind me of the opening scene of The Shining with the Overlook manager and other guy. Similar dull lighting and 3 guys having a discussion with a lot more going on beneath the surface...
10:00 this shot reminds me of The Shining too.. when Jack is looking down at the maze model in the hotel, and assumes a "Godlike" view of Danny and Wendy walking in the real maze outside, while it slowly zooms in. very cool. i think the Coen Bros were certainly inspired by Kubrick in many ways
The plural of analysis is not analysises, but analyses.
Very insightful.
You have brought a very astute perspective to light. Thank you it was great!
Movie is a work of art.,I'm 38 and just now watched it last week..I've watched it 7 times since. Its art.
I'm very curious about who else was considered for the part of Jerry.
I never understood why he didn’t start the car and turn in the heat before getting out to scrape the ice. The defrost would have helped. This is a favorite of mine! There is so much that went into this to frame the whole film.
One of my favorite scenes is from the movie Witness. Near the end there is confrontation between Ford/Book and his boss where everyone one is screaming at each other all at once. Either a fortunate ad lib or great writing and directing.
Just found your channel and I love this explanation of the movie scenes
All of that and the amazing part is the filming of this scene occurred in unusually warm weather and the snow is artificial and framed to look as more then there actually was.
@ryan_martin Great analysis! Thanks for sharing. I have always been fascinated with cinematography and will be following your channel from now on. My only question about this analysis (besides the not being offered a seat) is regarding the 'crossroads' tire tracks. Do they represent the traditional 'crossroads' of Robert Johnson where Jerry tried to sell his soul to the devil? Does the other set belong to Wade and Stan and represent the 'right and reasonable path' in complete contradiction to Jerry's 'wrong and lacking any reason whatsoever path'? There are many possible interpretations but I would love to hear yours! Please share
Interesting analysis, enjoyed viewing it.
I always wondered in this scene why Jerry’s car is parked so remotely in the lot.
It obviously sets up the visual you’ve described here, but given the relatively short meeting Jerry has with Wade and Stan, it doesn’t seem as if the lot could have been that full when he went in.
In a way I guess it fits Jerry’s whole storyline: we’re not really sure why he makes the decisions he does other than he doesn’t think things through. I’ve always appreciated the fact that Jerry’s need for large amounts of money is a McGuffin. Is he just a greedy sociopath? Is he so desperate to be a big shot that he’s got multiple scams going? Is he so passively-aggressive towards Wade that he is embezzling from Wade’s car dealership and kidnapping his daughter all at the same time?
We never know why Jerry is doing the things he does, we just know it drives the plot forward
i love this movie. top 5 for sure. 1) It was supposed a 2pm meeting - looks later in the day 2) who has office furniture that fold up like that? Also, when Marge and Norm are eating at the buffet and the trooper brings Marge some info. The trooper asks Norm about going ice fishing, Norm replies "After lunch." I was surprised he didn't say "After dinner". I know from first hand experience from living Jamestown, ND after moving from PA. I was doing CI training and at 11:00am and the instructor said, "We'll complete this module and then break for dinner". I was flabbergasted. My co-workers then educated me that meant lunch not supper(dinner)...Btw, the people of Jamestown ND are some of the nicest people I've known.
As any older Minnesotan could tell you, lunch is the midday meal, supper is the afternoon/early evening meal, and dinner is on Sunday afternoon after church or on a Holiday.
i agree to some points but you really overanalyze some things that i think are simpler (ice on the window for instance)
you're wrong
i must say thats a damn good shot. One of the most beautiful movies ive ever seen
New sub here. Will you analyse Deakins with The Shawshank Redemption?
This movie is simply unbelievable. The more i watch the more i'm totally flashed and sticked to the screen.
Great video thanks! Love this movie but never consciously see the points you make. Hope you've done more vids on it like this one.
Why would kidnappers give you their names?
Not just his insignificance, but his isolation: his problems are his own doing, swallowing him up.
Watch what happens every time Jerry might have a moment to think about his next step: he gets interrupted. He never has time to stop and think-events slowly spin out of his control and he can only react (like a cornered rat).
I also think the scene of him getting off the phone call with his father in law is telling: he has good news to share but doesn't feel he can share it with his wife. Either she wouldn't understand or they just don't share any emotional connection (typical thing for Minnesotans of Scandinavian descent). Jerry is both financially and emotionally isolated.
I wonder why there's ice on the entire windshield, but the rear window and passenger side windows are clear.
I wonder who could have played the role of Jerry better than William H Macy
I think the parking lot reminds me of the inside of wades office. It also was not a bank
Hot take: Jerry reuses his footprints he already laid in the snow demonstrates his constant cop out decision of taking the path with least resistance. Jerry tries to manipulate things to his favor only as far as someone let's him, then instantly backs down at the slightest sign of unpleasantness. He would rather kiss someone's feet in person to avoid any pain for himself, but as soon as no one's watching will try to get away with as much as he can, only to grovel and beg for forgiveness and portray himself as pathetic to the people he tries to screw over in the shadows if he is even slightly confronted about it
You guys are making stuff into what it ain't. If you ever spent every winter of your life in snow, you would know you always walk in the already used foot prints. It keeps the amount of snow getting in your shoes to a minimum. You are reading much too much into this.
I’m commenting, darn tootin!!
Great Video and analysis!
You'd get an A+ in advanced English lit. Do you have one of the TV scene change from the cabin to Marge's bedroom, where there is a documentary about bugs tsking larvae back to feed their young?
@12:02 "It sails off into the distance", "it launches off the windshield" sounds and reads better.
Analysis: singular. Analyses: plural.
I don't know how you can see that he retraced his footsteps, but isn't that the smart thing to do in the snow?
When I saw this I thought it was a flaw that he didn’t start the car and turn on the defroster but I guess that may have said something about his character too.
One of my favorite films
Yes, WHM owned this role. He freakin' nailed it! I could go on and on....
He missed the look between Stan and Wade when Jerry turned down their fee and was expecting the full. 750K.
You need to re-watch the scene where Jerry talks to Shep. As he walks away, look at his body language. His body language says "oh shit...what am I gonna do now?" Re-watch it, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
+mrtony80 oh you're absolutely right. I guess my main point was how quickly Jerry gave up trying to find a phone number. His initial demeanor and body language was another example of Minnesota Nice. But it's true, he quickly changes to a state of panic. Thanks for checking out my video and for the comment!
Ryan Martian
No problem. I loved your analysis. 'Fargo' is one of my favorite films of all time. Quick question, though - do you know if there is any explanation as to why Shep initially didn't know who Carl was when Jerry approached him, but then very much knew who he was when he went after him in motel when he was "banging" the hooker?
+mrtony80 it's never seen on camera, but I have a feeling he either did some calling around or maybe even got in touch with Grimsrud somehow. We all know Grimsrud couldn't stand Carl so I wouldn't be surprised if he told Shep where he was. Just a theory, obviously.
Ryan Martian
I think that theory is a bit farfetched. lol. I think it's just a mistake in an otherwise flawlessly written film. But I was wondering if the Coens had ever addressed it.
mrtony80 I've never seen a video of them addressing this potential plot hole. I guess they didn't think it would be too distracting if they didn't explain it in the actual film. I just always assumed he called around and found out. Carl wasn't being very cautious after all.
My brother had a FIL just like Wade. This type of person is insufferable to be around trust me. The guy had the partner, the big factory, etc. He would come over to my brother's house (which he had bought for his daughter) and tell my brother to cut the grass and trim the shubbery. The guy was an relentless know it all. I remember him telling everyone that AOL was the all time greatest company and the only stock to buy. Finally, my brother quit working for him and went out on his own. My brother became very successful but to his dying day his FIL treated him like he was an idiot.
Thanks for captions
Love your analyses. Did you go to film school?
I think this film was my first exposure to Macy as an actor.... "awww, what the christ!"
Why does Jerry park so far away from the office building?
Good video thanks
You can attach metaphor and meaning to anything and it appears you have done just that with the parking lot scene, but I don't find it particularly profound. It's like a painting....some people find deep meaning it and some don't. You found deep profundity where I don't. It doesn't mean you're crazy or I'm blind...it's just opinion.
They made it big by claiming it would never go far.
But why did he park so far away? :)
why is the front only icy, I'm calling BS
Well, you'd better get on the phone and call somebody on this! Stat! I mean, who...the f*ck...are THEY.....to try and get away with this sh*t?
Maybe he should of started the car and turned on the defroster
You’re sayin…. what are you sayin?
Does anyone know why Jerry was embezzling money? Why did he need that much money.. what was he doing with it.
Probably another get rich quick scheme that didn't work out.
I can't believe both brothers are now females