I thought you might cover Death and other Details since it is a new mystery and and you did the great Only Murders in the Building. But then I watched the first episode of Death Details and it had illogical writing for the detective part, and worst of all it is filled with "modern politics" trash and I'm not watching that crap.
One thing I feel can't be understated about the Film (Particularly after THIS Season!) Is what a good Husband Norm is! He supports her in her career decisions, routinely checks to see she's eating properly, gets out of a warm beg to help her get an her early in the morning & while he does not have a traditional 9 to 5 job... he does make enough in his art to contribute to the household expenses. Perhaps not enough to earn 'Husband of the Year'... but still a good man!
Yeah that's so true! He didn't say much at all but you could see the love and care that was there. The scene at the end where she was proud of him for the art on his stamp was also a lovely moment. So different to Jerry and Jean!
The movie didn’t give any background as to the nature of their relationship, but I think they were just friends in the past. And she met up with him purely out of kindness. Native Minnesotans all have this thing called Minnesota Nice. It’s like a regional behavioral aspect that is part of the culture. Which is why so many ppl in the movie are always seemingly happy or overtly polite even in uncomfortable situations (like when Margie talks to shep proudfoot and passively threatens him to get him violated in his parole) So I always thought she was just being nice, because she seems content with norm. That’s my take anyway
@@MrCrosby.s_lunch It's noir by virtue of a larger aesthetic that is more salient to the spirit of the genre (chronicling the inevitable destruction of main characters through their own actions) than would be an imagined comprehensive checklist of stereotyped aspects, which might include having been filmed in black and white during a particular era.
It isn’t said but I understood that Jerry married his wife in the first place because her father was rich. He thought he’d benefit from it but never did.
I feel like he didn't necessarily plan to be evil when he married her... But he essentially was such a loser that he was forced into criminal behavior to keep his head above water... And his true personality came out... I doubt that he would have imagined that he would have done everything he did when he was in his twenties... Although I doubt he was ever a very good person
Jerry's dad-in-law had him figured as a weasely little shyster right from the start. But knew his daughter wasn't exactly a 'catch' either. Unsaid, but I suspect, a wedding of necessity may have been the root of all that followed.
Peter Stormare as the other kidnapper to Buscemi was the scariest villian in any movie I've seen. You never knew what he was thinking and what he would do. He was stone cold.
I just watched this movie. I live with roommates that are like Marge and Norm, who are, and I mean this warm-heartedly, simple folk. When Marge said, "... And it's a beautiful day. I just don't get it," it hit home. Beautiful movie.
Thanks for the analysis. IMHO Fargo is the best Coen Brothers film. Beautiful score by Carter Burwell, McDormand deserved her Oscar. You betcha. One of favorite 20-25 movies of all time
I just watched it(the film) and wound up here....I had the chance of watching no country for old men earlier this year without knowing it was the coen's and while watching Fargo I was like damn this film really reminds me of no country similar themes explored differently but always leading up to the same conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed myself while discovering who the coen's are and what their style is exploring. Who woulda thought...
Another coen brothers movie that’s really good is “burn after reading”. It’s just as good as Fargo, if not better. Frances mcdormand also stars in that one as well with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John malkovich and tilda swinton.
This movie was terrifying at times because of the killing scenes. The killings were messy and horrifying just like in real life. I love the way the story is told and the characters.
In 1980 thru 1984, I worked for a local airline based in Billings, Montana, that flew through North Dakota to Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I watched this film and heard the Minnesota twang, I just about lost it. That is how most of our station agents in Eastern North Dakota and Minnesota sounded like. I loved this movie, you betcha.
I spent my young and young adult life in minnesota. For those of us who are minnesotans, the movie means more. They nailed the minnesota life. The Radison .. etc.. night club scene with the girls.. It was perfect; I could see the Ghost of my old ( young ) self walking in the background. Gave me chills. One more note of appreciation; the Cast was unbelievably Minnesotan. Lastly, the desolate cold snow-filled fence line where the money was buried. Fitting for the cold and desolate money being buried Good over view.. I've watched it half dozen times.
One moment in the film I LOVE is when we're entering the Lundegaards' home, and we hear Jerry's voice -- off-camera -- filled with emotion as he informs his son that his wife (the son's mother) had been kidnapped. Then the camera slowly pans over, and we see that Jerry is all alone, *rehearsing* the eventual bullsh*t performance that he will give his son. Underscoring again just what a b.s. artist Jerry is, but in a way that reminds the audience how susceptible we are to being fooled when we're only given partial information.
Thank you for taking the time to analyze this awesome film. After hearing about it for so long I finally watched it last year and I loved it. So it made it all that more disappointing when I could barely find any videos on UA-cam that did a deep dive into the movie. It was exciting to see your video pop up 😅
Another scene that comes to mind was Carl losing it when the airport parking attendant wouldn’t waive the fee when he “changed his mind” about parking there (he only went in to steal a license plate.) Him trying to keep the car when he had the lion’s share of the ransom makes sense.
Such a bungler!! Stops to complain to a complete stranger shoveling his driveway about the lack of action out at the lake. Who does this? (Him, obviously)
I watched this film simply because I took Film Studies in high school, and we had to watch several films from the American Film Academy's Top 100. I didn't have as much appreciation for older films then as I do now, so I chose this one simply because it was the most modern one on the list - 1996. I fell in love from the opening scene and it's been one of my top favorites ever since. I can watch it over & over and never get tired of it. Thank you for doing this breakdown and bringing it back to light for others.
It was broadcast by the belgian national tv network on christmas evening when i first saw it. Absolutely brilliant idea when all other networks were running Home Alone for the 436th time.
I just finished watching the movie for the first time - and I’ve done this after watching (and obsession) over every season of Fargo the TV series. I really loved the movie and it gave me a lot of appreciation for the show. Plus I noticed so many Easter eggs / different bits that were pulled from throughout all 5 seasons
Jerry is a man drowning in failure. He knows it and we know it. He isn't a good salesman but also isn't naturally deceptive. An oxymoron for a car salesman perhaps. Maybe that is the point? Desperation leads him to a ridiculous and dangerous plan that, for a while makes him feel in control. We know it will not come to the fruition he plans. Jerry _ozzes_ futility. Kudos to William H Macy who played the character so well you knew 'doom' was in his DNA.
Being from Minnesota, the takeaway I got from the film was the Coen brothers poking fun - as they do - this time at the phenomenon called "Minnesota nice", which is where there is an extreme amount of politeness and civility that half the time you don't know if someone is telling the truth or flat out hiding something. I felt the movie was a caricature demonstrating the polar opposites of authentic and inauthentic "nice". Marge is the real deal, almost too pure to be real, Lundegaard the complete farce, an overly apologetic person with no character, and the outsiders (criminals) the people from the "real" world that are way too obviously not "nice" and instead brutally honest and impolite. Near the end where Marge in her purity is trying to give a school teacher-like lecture to the thug in the squad car is priceless.
I thought Macy was great, as was Dormand. Macy has that innocent altar boy look about him, which added to the creep factor because of the evil he sets off with his greed.
I never realized Fargo was inspired by the murder of Helle Craft! There is a book about Helle’s murder. The Woodchipper Murder, I believe it’s titled. It was one of the books that got me hooked on true crime in my preteen years. The other was A Venom in the Blood. Totally inappropriate for my age but no one kept track of what you were reading on the 80s & 90s 😂😂
HaHa - I read that book and thought of it when they did the woodchipper scene. The husband finally got caught when they found a tooth of hers near the site (no other body parts). Creepy!
@@barbarapaige4587They also found one of Helle’s red acrylic nails! This was the first true crime case I ever watched…on A&E , narrated by Bill Kurtis. I became totally hooked!
The "finder's fee" is a normal way such business is done. It wasn't about disrespect. And Wade clearly knew Jerry was a con-man. He may have suspected the "investment" was a scam. You don't get wealthy in real-estate unless you are very savvy.
It was obvious throughout the entire film that Wade simply didn’t respect Jerry. This was made most apparent when Wade tells Jerry that Jean and Scottie (the son) don’t need to worry about being taken care of. He intentionally excluded Jerry in that statement because it was always his plan to make sure Jerry would never inherit a dime of his money after he was gone.
Jerry, one of those quick-buck scam artists with no thought whatsoever of the long-term. Playing it fast and loose with the dealership's credit account? WTF did he think was going to happen?
Marge is Columbo. She appears after the major part of the crime is completed. She appears incompetent yet is keen, sharp and begins to work ahead of the criminals. I also like how she annoys Lundegaard. Classic Columbo.
Better, she shows that she knows how to wield a gun if the situation calls for it. For Columbo, getting recertified for his gun authorization was a challenge.
I can see it, but it's a bit of a stretch. She never evinces anything like incompetence, though I suppose her demeanor and pregnant condition could have an effect on how people perceive her. And this being a single iteration of the character is problematic, as Columbo had 43 (if you don't count the 90s versions, and I *DON'T* ) episodes, with varying degrees of slyness or overt deceptiveness. There is no single "Columbo persona'.
@@Hexon66 it is a stretch, I agree. I recently watched a couple late 90s Columbo episodes and they weren’t that good. Seemed to be fishing for ratings with off brand sex scenes…? Why? Marge isn’t Columbo, but the structure of Marge’s appearance and her quirky behaviour is a nod and wink to Columbo.
7:40 this scene always confused me too, I eventually thought it gave her a nudge that she shouldnt be taking bill at face value, she's too much of a trusting person who doesn't pick up on ulterior motives
I agree. I frist thought it was a throwaway line, just done for fun. But, she went to ask the car dealers for proof that the car didn't come from that lot after she found out that other guy was lying.
It serves a purpose but still doesn’t fit the character at all. She’s sweet but she’s not clueless. Actually she’s really quick witted especially compared to the people around her.
@@Spooky_515 Yeah, I definitely think it's there as comfort for the audience to make the connection. It's completely out of character for Marge to need to be given that kind of enlightenment.
Helle Crafts was featured on an episode of Forensic Files. I think her husband set up the wood chipper on a bridge at night and was shooting the gore into a river. They found part of a tooth and that’s how they matched the dna.
Fargo is up there with my favorite all-time movies. The Coen Brothers are amazing and I want to see all of their movies. I fell in love with Frances McDormand after watching Fargo. Steve Buscemi is one of my favorites. Great cast, incredible movie..... I just may have to watch it again after seeing this video. It will be my 3rd time.
It's real life happening, you never know how things will work out. I once talked two people out of arranging payback on someone who cheated them, with the question what happens if it goes wrong. I used a similar scenerio to this movie, dodgy people usually have issues and get triggered easily, a beating could become murder.
Jerry's terrible character gets downplayed a lot in this desensitized, fallen world. He's an absolute scumbag of a person. He came up with the idea to have his own wife and mother to his child, kidnapped. What's more, he had no idea who these men were. Even these hardened criminals were shocked that he wanted them to kidnap his wife. Jerry systematically committed fraud over the course of what was most likely several years, lied to people for a living, and prioritized money over the life and well-being of both his wife and child. He had a wonderful family, a nice house, everything a man could need or want...but Jerry isn't a man. When his father-in-law said that his daughter and grandson will never have to worry about money, and Jerry looks DISAPPOINTED, we can see just how evil he truly is. Any real husband and father would at least want his family to be ok. He would sacrifice for THEM, as they do for him. That's what a family is supposed to be like. But Jerry didn't care about either of them, at all. Jerry cared about Jerry. As long as Jerry got money, sure, hire two CRIMINALS to kidnap my wife and put her through hell, and traumatize my child by taking his mother away from him. He's the worst, man. 😂
I watched this film first by renting the video tape. I so enjoyed it that when it came out on DVD I bought it and watch it a couple of times a year. I think that the choices made for the cast was genius. I love this movie. The police officer and her husband were my favorite characters. Great movie. Five stars!!!
I love that the guy in the red jacket who ran out of the car crash only to be shot in the back was played by Prince. Yes, that Prince. He is credited merely as the symbol of “the artist formerly known as Prince”.
@@imonymous No. Prince or his symbol rather was credited but it was a joke based on slight reality since Prince really did want to do a cameo. The Coens threw it in to fuck with people kind of in the same vein as the “based on a true story” claim which was also very slightly accurate.
@@imonymous Nah, it was some crew member I believe. Yes the Minnesota connection is real and part of the joke. Apparently Prince really did want to be in the film. It didn’t work out though.
Another slight repetition is the statue of Paul Bunion and the axe murder of Carl. Also, the juxtaposition of Marge mercifully shooting in the leg when she could have easily justified shooting for the torso. Some other weird details are the death of Wade and the weird smile and gestures when shot and the prolonged "ohhh jeezeee" as his last words. Mike's lie to Marge is indeed pivotal and a major but subtle theme of the movie is Marge becoming a better cop from her brush with evil and deceit. I think as a small town chief, she still had a flaw of buying into the good she perceived and after this lesson, she would cut right through a guy like Jerry on the first visit.
Not sure really what was explained, that we didn't already know, but I can appreciate the effort. At least it didn't close with the analysis "It's a story about how *_FAR_* people will *_GO_* for a little money." Small blessings.
Jerry just wanted something on his own. Much like Fredo in the Godfather, he felt disrespected, ignored and "passed over". He just felt he couldn't catch a break and if everything worked out he could replace the missing funds at the dealership, pursue the parking lot dream and finally take the place of respect he craved/deserved, something on his own!
I put off watching this movie for a long time because the exaggerated Minnesota accent annoyed me. Especially since the Coen brothers are from Minnesota, so they obviously did it on purpose, but I have no idea why. A lot of reviewers seem to love the fake accent, so I guess it was a smart decision. But I did finally watch the movie and other than the accent thing, it really is great. So many little things that are seemingly random, but are actually connected to the story.
Fun fact, most of the film was shot around Grand Forks, North Dakota, as there wasn’t a lot of snow in central Minnesota the winter they were filming. They did some filming in the Twin Cities though.
I'm not sure he was driven by greed. I think he was in debt, possibly due to gamboling. He had been stealing money from one place to pay back another with the plan to pay back the stolen money before the missing money is noticed. This can work for a while and may well be employed more often than we know, considering the stolen money is returned before the theft is noticed. The problem is, if you are more than a few steps in, the money owed gets bigger quickly until there is more than can be repaid.
I would argue that the situation he got himself into was driven by greed. His actions in the movie may have been desperate attempts to get out of debt, but greed is what got him there in the first place, especially if using your example of gambling.
That is the idea or nearly definition of a Ponzi scheme. It can work for a time period but will almost surely collapse at some point especially as greed continues to grow...
Watching it the first time, I thought Marge at the roadside crime scene was a hoot. We had just met the criminals and she's smarter by a factor of billions. Lots of twists to come but those idiots were doomed. Also a major comic theme was the failure of plans, specifically at the points where they depend on how other people will react. If I do this then he'll do that... nope not even close.
I have a slightly different interpretation of the $80,000 and splitting the car. If Carl had relented too easily his partner would’ve known that something was up. So he had to put on a big show about wanting to keep the car.
Was there a connection in season 5 to the other seasons. I think I missed that. I was able to quickly catch the connections of seasons 1-4. This season seem to be on a different level. We have a dude who is 100's of years old. Wtf
It is not because I am old, but why can not anyone tell a good story in the 2020's. This movie is a perfect example of telling a story, real, or not. It was brilliant in every way. I have little interest in seeing movies today because they leave you hanging or the subject matter is not interesting. I know, Netflix has had some good movies, but mostly from one point of view. This movie is story telling at it's finest.
The film takes place almost entirely in Minnesota; while Fargo, in neighboring North Dakota, is only identified near the end as the site of Jerry's arrest by the authorities. That it was given the title 'Fargo' thus seems very elliptical and ambiguous. So the choice must have been made for a reason -- to signify the 'place' (literal or metaphorical) where we can't run any farther and the ugly truth finally catches up with us; the place where we're destined to wind up when we 'go' too 'far.'
Modern Hollywood would ruin a movie like this with over the top CGI, an inflated budget, over promoted talent, and ear blasting sound effects. Marge would have had a wife and the actress who portrayed her would have been constantly been in the news for making outrageous statements. Then, when nobody liked it they would call everybody names like little children.
I immegrated to Minnesotta from Australia in 2018 and the first yr there was snow I swore I would never go out in it again omg is it cold and Im also totally unable to walk on a slippy footpath without falling on my bum or flat on my face.
nothing wil go wrong. what made it stand out even more is that nothing is going well for him. his loan sheme, the deal he wanted to make with his fatherinlaw, not even the car deals. the customers at the start saying he is a liar. the biggest lie is him thinking he can pull it off.
Marge is the perfect wife. A loving sweetheart, smart and gorgeous. She’s like super woman lol I mean she investigates the case and makes the arrest while causally feeding her cravings because she’s doing it all pregnant! Winner winner chicken dinner
You described it as an accelerating roller coaster, out of control from the initiating intentions of the protagonist. I wonder...if Vince Gilligan was a big fan of this when it came out, 15 or-so years before BReaking BAd.
This movie came out in 1996. In October 1996, two cheerleaders were abducted and murdered by a neighbor in the village of Dryden, New York. They were dismembered and put through a woodchipper, the remains scattered in the woods. Coincidence?!
Freezer...chainsaw...wood chipper -- the cops in the real-life case didn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to detect a suspicious pattern in that purchase history.
he took her to a river below a bridge to put her through the chipper. he was seen by two different people. i'm glad i didn't know it was based on that case. it wads such an awful murder.
So the kid says “what if something goes wrong?” when he hears his mother was kidnapped? He must have read his dad and knew it was his hair brained scheme but was caught that he felt he had to protect him and not turn him in.
My girlfriend and I watched this in Bangkok Thailand in 1997. We were harassed by numerous Thai people while leaving the theatre by Thai men. We're Americans.
Admittedly, I did not like the Fargo movie the first time I watch it. But I had to watch it multiple more times years later as I played a cop in a theatre production with that accent. The movie sort of grew on me. I love the tv series.
That's interesting! I watched the movie after watching the TV series for the first time and I loved it. I commend Juno for doing the accent so we'll because it sounds like there's so many intricacies to it!
I just wonder what kind of financial trouble Jerry got himself into? We know he got money for cars that didn't exist. But why? What did he use the money for or why did he need it?
I think it was just to start his own dealership and be his own boss for a change. Remember the business proposal he brings to his father-in-law and his business partner? He's devastated that all they offer him is a finder's fee; he was hoping they'd help set him up in his own business.
What did you think when you watched Fargo for the first time? 🤯 Let me know your thoughts below!
I felt it was a special film, so different,
And that I'd be watching it more than once
I thought you might cover Death and other Details since it is a new mystery and and you did the great Only Murders in the Building. But then I watched the first episode of Death Details and it had illogical writing for the detective part, and worst of all it is filled with "modern politics" trash and I'm not watching that crap.
Just watched it. Great movie. I really liked Margie and how great of a detective she was.
I can't comment on this crap except in replies. Where's the true story you melt
This film grew into one of my favorite movies. I watched it a few times before I fell in love with it - kind of like a fine wine.
One thing I feel can't be understated about the Film (Particularly after THIS Season!) Is what a good Husband Norm is! He supports her in her career decisions, routinely checks to see she's eating properly, gets out of a warm beg to help her get an her early in the morning & while he does not have a traditional 9 to 5 job... he does make enough in his art to contribute to the household expenses. Perhaps not enough to earn 'Husband of the Year'... but still a good man!
Yeah that's so true! He didn't say much at all but you could see the love and care that was there. The scene at the end where she was proud of him for the art on his stamp was also a lovely moment. So different to Jerry and Jean!
Why does marge go to see the oriental fellow?
7:50@@JohnSmith-dt2yb
@@JohnSmith-dt2ybBecause women can’t help themselves with rich men.
The movie didn’t give any background as to the nature of their relationship, but I think they were just friends in the past. And she met up with him purely out of kindness.
Native Minnesotans all have this thing called Minnesota Nice. It’s like a regional behavioral aspect that is part of the culture. Which is why so many ppl in the movie are always seemingly happy or overtly polite even in uncomfortable situations (like when Margie talks to shep proudfoot and passively threatens him to get him violated in his parole)
So I always thought she was just being nice, because she seems content with norm. That’s my take anyway
As somebody who spent most of my life in Northern Illinois i remember seeing this in a theater and feeling the cold
If Fargo doesn't qualify as noir, I don't know what does. What an excellent film! Great overview of the film!
Well you clearly know nothing about film-making. A genre codifies a set of features, including graphically. How is Fargo even remotely noir?
@@MrCrosby.s_lunch It's noir by virtue of a larger aesthetic that is more salient to the spirit of the genre (chronicling the inevitable destruction of main characters through their own actions) than would be an imagined comprehensive checklist of stereotyped aspects, which might include having been filmed in black and white during a particular era.
@mstalcup i don't agree entirely
It isn’t said but I understood that Jerry married his wife in the first place because her father was rich. He thought he’d benefit from it but never did.
That's an interesting thought, I never look at it like that. He could have well been playing the long game
I feel like he didn't necessarily plan to be evil when he married her... But he essentially was such a loser that he was forced into criminal behavior to keep his head above water... And his true personality came out... I doubt that he would have imagined that he would have done everything he did when he was in his twenties... Although I doubt he was ever a very good person
It seems that whenever the primary motivation for doing something is money, it never works out well.
Jerry's dad-in-law had him figured as a weasely little shyster right from the start. But knew his daughter wasn't exactly a 'catch' either. Unsaid, but I suspect, a wedding of necessity may have been the root of all that followed.
Great comment. Never thought of this, but it fits what we know of his character precisely.
This is just a great movie. The story begins and takes you away. I never get tired of watching it.
Yeah it is such a good one!
@@BrainPilotq1 q😊Qq😊😊❤😊😊Q😊qq😊qqq
Me neither. I just watched it again for like the 157th time. I love it.
Peter Stormare as the other kidnapper to Buscemi was the scariest villian in any movie I've seen. You never knew what he was thinking and what he would do. He was stone cold.
Yeah they were really good in this movie!
I had this weird crush on Peter Stormare. His cold eyes and his cool action…terrifying but attracted me too.
@@marilynsgirl01he’s a tall blonde Swedish guy with mystery. I’m sure a lot of women found him attractive.
@@SaintNormRIP I’m glad to hear you say that. I am always attracted to the extremely bad boys…the ones who will tie you up and leave you in a trunk. 😂
Reminded me of Javier Bardem in 'No Country for Old Men'. But even lacking his minimal emotion.
The theme song brings me such joy because its always attached to such good stories.
Yeah I thought that when rewatching it. The opening theme is just too good!
@@BrainPilot It's on par with the piano from the Conversation for stirring melancholy.
I agree, Marge really was a super lady.
Oh yaaaaa
Yaaaaaaah
You're darn tootin'!
I just watched this movie. I live with roommates that are like Marge and Norm, who are, and I mean this warm-heartedly, simple folk. When Marge said, "... And it's a beautiful day. I just don't get it," it hit home. Beautiful movie.
Thanks for the analysis. IMHO Fargo is the best Coen Brothers film. Beautiful score by Carter Burwell, McDormand deserved her Oscar. You betcha. One of favorite 20-25 movies of all time
Glad you enjoyed! Yeah it is a hard one to beat. There are so many good things about it, and yeah McDormand definitely did!
YEAAAAAH (HEAD NOD)
I just watched it(the film) and wound up here....I had the chance of watching no country for old men earlier this year without knowing it was the coen's and while watching Fargo I was like damn this film really reminds me of no country similar themes explored differently but always leading up to the same conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed myself while discovering who the coen's are and what their style is exploring. Who woulda thought...
Yeah, well thats like your opinion, man.. 😎
Another coen brothers movie that’s really good is “burn after reading”. It’s just as good as Fargo, if not better. Frances mcdormand also stars in that one as well with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John malkovich and tilda swinton.
This movie was terrifying at times because of the killing scenes. The killings were messy and horrifying just like in real life. I love the way the story is told and the characters.
Yeah it's such a good film!
In 1980 thru 1984, I worked for a local airline based in Billings, Montana, that flew through North Dakota to Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I watched this film and heard the Minnesota twang, I just about lost it. That is how most of our station agents in Eastern North Dakota and Minnesota sounded like. I loved this movie, you betcha.
I spent my young and young adult life in minnesota. For those of us who are minnesotans, the movie means more.
They nailed the minnesota life. The Radison .. etc.. night club scene with the girls.. It was perfect; I could see the
Ghost of my old ( young ) self walking in the background. Gave me chills.
One more note of appreciation; the Cast was unbelievably Minnesotan.
Lastly, the desolate cold snow-filled fence line where the money was buried.
Fitting for the cold and desolate money being buried
Good over view.. I've watched it half dozen times.
One moment in the film I LOVE is when we're entering the Lundegaards' home, and we hear Jerry's voice -- off-camera -- filled with emotion as he informs his son that his wife (the son's mother) had been kidnapped. Then the camera slowly pans over, and we see that Jerry is all alone, *rehearsing* the eventual bullsh*t performance that he will give his son. Underscoring again just what a b.s. artist Jerry is, but in a way that reminds the audience how susceptible we are to being fooled when we're only given partial information.
Jerry is actually rehearsing what he will say to his father-in-law, not his son.
I have watched Fargo several times and look forward to watching it again! This is a true masterpiece!
I love the character of Marge. A waddling, wicked smart badass
Yeah she was a great character!
Thank you for taking the time to analyze this awesome film. After hearing about it for so long I finally watched it last year and I loved it. So it made it all that more disappointing when I could barely find any videos on UA-cam that did a deep dive into the movie. It was exciting to see your video pop up 😅
Glad to have been the person to do it for you! It's an awesome film isn't it. Glad you enjoyed the vid!
Another scene that comes to mind was Carl losing it when the airport parking attendant wouldn’t waive the fee when he “changed his mind” about parking there (he only went in to steal a license plate.) Him trying to keep the car when he had the lion’s share of the ransom makes sense.
Such a bungler!! Stops to complain to a complete stranger shoveling his driveway about the lack of action out at the lake. Who does this? (Him, obviously)
I watched this film simply because I took Film Studies in high school, and we had to watch several films from the American Film Academy's Top 100. I didn't have as much appreciation for older films then as I do now, so I chose this one simply because it was the most modern one on the list - 1996. I fell in love from the opening scene and it's been one of my top favorites ever since. I can watch it over & over and never get tired of it. Thank you for doing this breakdown and bringing it back to light for others.
It was broadcast by the belgian national tv network on christmas evening when i first saw it. Absolutely brilliant idea when all other networks were running Home Alone for the 436th time.
I just finished watching the movie for the first time - and I’ve done this after watching (and obsession) over every season of Fargo the TV series. I really loved the movie and it gave me a lot of appreciation for the show. Plus I noticed so many Easter eggs / different bits that were pulled from throughout all 5 seasons
That suitcase of $$$ buried in the snow sets off a whole chain of events much later.
Jerry is a man drowning in failure. He knows it and we know it. He isn't a good salesman but also isn't naturally deceptive. An oxymoron for a car salesman perhaps. Maybe that is the point? Desperation leads him to a ridiculous and dangerous plan that, for a while makes him feel in control. We know it will not come to the fruition he plans. Jerry _ozzes_ futility.
Kudos to William H Macy who played the character so well you knew 'doom' was in his DNA.
Being from Minnesota, the takeaway I got from the film was the Coen brothers poking fun - as they do - this time at the phenomenon called "Minnesota nice", which is where there is an extreme amount of politeness and civility that half the time you don't know if someone is telling the truth or flat out hiding something. I felt the movie was a caricature demonstrating the polar opposites of authentic and inauthentic "nice". Marge is the real deal, almost too pure to be real, Lundegaard the complete farce, an overly apologetic person with no character, and the outsiders (criminals) the people from the "real" world that are way too obviously not "nice" and instead brutally honest and impolite. Near the end where Marge in her purity is trying to give a school teacher-like lecture to the thug in the squad car is priceless.
My favorite Marge scene is her second interview with Jerry. She asks hard-hitting questions while maintaining her “Minnesota Nice” demeanor.
Macy begged for the role. And I'm glad the Coens cast him; he was great.
McDormond however...well.....
I thought Macy was great, as was Dormand. Macy has that innocent altar boy look about him, which added to the creep factor because of the evil he sets off with his greed.
I previously had him pegged as a B-list fill-in type. But he really shone here, and changed my perception of of WHM altogether.
W.H. Macy at his audition: No, this is MY deal, see! Aww heck, ya want me to beg ya, here?
There was no one else for the role. Macy killed it. What a guy
What I like about Fargo is how good, dedicated people can rein in evil.
It doesn’t happen as often as we’d like but it definitely happens.
I never realized Fargo was inspired by the murder of Helle Craft! There is a book about Helle’s murder. The Woodchipper Murder, I believe it’s titled. It was one of the books that got me hooked on true crime in my preteen years. The other was A Venom in the Blood. Totally inappropriate for my age but no one kept track of what you were reading on the 80s & 90s 😂😂
HaHa - I read that book and thought of it when they did the woodchipper scene. The husband finally got caught when they found a tooth of hers near the site (no other body parts). Creepy!
@@barbarapaige4587They also found one of Helle’s red acrylic nails! This was the first true crime case I ever watched…on A&E , narrated by Bill Kurtis. I became totally hooked!
The "finder's fee" is a normal way such business is done. It wasn't about disrespect.
And Wade clearly knew Jerry was a con-man. He may have suspected the "investment" was a scam.
You don't get wealthy in real-estate unless you are very savvy.
It was obvious throughout the entire film that Wade simply didn’t respect Jerry. This was made most apparent when Wade tells Jerry that Jean and Scottie (the son) don’t need to worry about being taken care of. He intentionally excluded Jerry in that statement because it was always his plan to make sure Jerry would never inherit a dime of his money after he was gone.
Jerry, one of those quick-buck scam artists with no thought whatsoever of the long-term. Playing it fast and loose with the dealership's credit account? WTF did he think was going to happen?
We're not a bank, Jerry! 😄
Marge is Columbo. She appears after the major part of the crime is completed. She appears incompetent yet is keen, sharp and begins to work ahead of the criminals. I also like how she annoys Lundegaard. Classic Columbo.
Better, she shows that she knows how to wield a gun if the situation calls for it. For Columbo, getting recertified for his gun authorization was a challenge.
@@ronmackinnon9374 Ha Ha!
I can see it, but it's a bit of a stretch. She never evinces anything like incompetence, though I suppose her demeanor and pregnant condition could have an effect on how people perceive her. And this being a single iteration of the character is problematic, as Columbo had 43 (if you don't count the 90s versions, and I *DON'T* ) episodes, with varying degrees of slyness or overt deceptiveness. There is no single "Columbo persona'.
@@Hexon66 it is a stretch, I agree. I recently watched a couple late 90s Columbo episodes and they weren’t that good. Seemed to be fishing for ratings with off brand sex scenes…? Why?
Marge isn’t Columbo, but the structure of Marge’s appearance and her quirky behaviour is a nod and wink to Columbo.
7:40 this scene always confused me too, I eventually thought it gave her a nudge that she shouldnt be taking bill at face value, she's too much of a trusting person who doesn't pick up on ulterior motives
Yeah it's definitely one of the most confusing scenes but 100% agree!
I agree. I frist thought it was a throwaway line, just done for fun. But, she went to ask the car dealers for proof that the car didn't come from that lot after she found out that other guy was lying.
It serves a purpose but still doesn’t fit the character at all. She’s sweet but she’s not clueless. Actually she’s really quick witted especially compared to the people around her.
@@Spooky_515There's sharpened steel under that seemingly naive exterior.
@@Spooky_515 Yeah, I definitely think it's there as comfort for the audience to make the connection. It's completely out of character for Marge to need to be given that kind of enlightenment.
I love Fargo, one of my favorite movies ever. Also, I had no idea there was a tv show.
Helle Crafts was featured on an episode of Forensic Files. I think her husband set up the wood chipper on a bridge at night and was shooting the gore into a river. They found part of a tooth and that’s how they matched the dna.
Yup this is exactly what happened. It was actually the very first episode of Forensic Files. The episode that kicked it all off. Such a great show
Fargo is up there with my favorite all-time movies. The Coen Brothers are amazing and I want to see all of their movies. I fell in love with Frances McDormand after watching Fargo. Steve Buscemi is one of my favorites. Great cast, incredible movie..... I just may have to watch it again after seeing this video. It will be my 3rd time.
Amazing movie - so unique at the time.
100%!
It's real life happening, you never know how things will work out. I once talked two people out of arranging payback on someone who cheated them, with the question what happens if it goes wrong. I used a similar scenerio to this movie, dodgy people usually have issues and get triggered easily, a beating could become murder.
Jerry's terrible character gets downplayed a lot in this desensitized, fallen world. He's an absolute scumbag of a person. He came up with the idea to have his own wife and mother to his child, kidnapped. What's more, he had no idea who these men were. Even these hardened criminals were shocked that he wanted them to kidnap his wife. Jerry systematically committed fraud over the course of what was most likely several years, lied to people for a living, and prioritized money over the life and well-being of both his wife and child. He had a wonderful family, a nice house, everything a man could need or want...but Jerry isn't a man. When his father-in-law said that his daughter and grandson will never have to worry about money, and Jerry looks DISAPPOINTED, we can see just how evil he truly is. Any real husband and father would at least want his family to be ok. He would sacrifice for THEM, as they do for him. That's what a family is supposed to be like. But Jerry didn't care about either of them, at all. Jerry cared about Jerry. As long as Jerry got money, sure, hire two CRIMINALS to kidnap my wife and put her through hell, and traumatize my child by taking his mother away from him. He's the worst, man. 😂
I think Margie sums it up best..."It's just money."
Then she says something about its being a beautiful day. She can enjoy the little things in life.
Absolutely one of my favorite movies ! I can re-watch it over and over and love it every time.
Yeah it's awesome isn't it!
I watched this film first by renting the video tape. I so enjoyed it that when it came out on DVD I bought it and watch it a couple of times a year. I think that the choices made for the cast was genius. I love this movie. The police officer and her husband were my favorite characters. Great movie. Five stars!!!
I love that the guy in the red jacket who ran out of the car crash only to be shot in the back was played by Prince. Yes, that Prince. He is credited merely as the symbol of “the artist formerly known as Prince”.
Haha!
Seriously? I never heard of that!
@@imonymous No. Prince or his symbol rather was credited but it was a joke based on slight reality since Prince really did want to do a cameo. The Coens threw it in to fuck with people kind of in the same vein as the “based on a true story” claim which was also very slightly accurate.
@@cactaceous Ahh, so it wasn't actually him. I can see him wanting to be involved since he was really attached to Minnesota.
@@imonymous Nah, it was some crew member I believe. Yes the Minnesota connection is real and part of the joke. Apparently Prince really did want to be in the film. It didn’t work out though.
I watch it every time its on TV. One of my favorites. Frances McDormand is a national treasure.
Yeah it's such a good movie!
@@BrainPilot I've been a fan of McDormand since my first viewing.
Another slight repetition is the statue of Paul Bunion and the axe murder of Carl. Also, the juxtaposition of Marge mercifully shooting in the leg when she could have easily justified shooting for the torso. Some other weird details are the death of Wade and the weird smile and gestures when shot and the prolonged "ohhh jeezeee" as his last words. Mike's lie to Marge is indeed pivotal and a major but subtle theme of the movie is Marge becoming a better cop from her brush with evil and deceit. I think as a small town chief, she still had a flaw of buying into the good she perceived and after this lesson, she would cut right through a guy like Jerry on the first visit.
My favorite movie of all. Thanks for doing this!
Glad you enjoyed the vid
Thank you for this video, I haven't watched this film in decades, it is brilliant.
Glad you enjoyed it
Not sure really what was explained, that we didn't already know, but I can appreciate the effort. At least it didn't close with the analysis "It's a story about how *_FAR_* people will *_GO_* for a little money." Small blessings.
The first season of Fargo was absolutely insane and perfect and amazing.
Jerry just wanted something on his own. Much like Fredo in the Godfather, he felt disrespected, ignored and "passed over". He just felt he couldn't catch a break and if everything worked out he could replace the missing funds at the dealership, pursue the parking lot dream and finally take the place of respect he craved/deserved, something on his own!
Whatever Jerry managed to achieve, he would undoubtedly lose. Sad sack!
I put off watching this movie for a long time because the exaggerated Minnesota accent annoyed me. Especially since the Coen brothers are from Minnesota, so they obviously did it on purpose, but I have no idea why. A lot of reviewers seem to love the fake accent, so I guess it was a smart decision. But I did finally watch the movie and other than the accent thing, it really is great. So many little things that are seemingly random, but are actually connected to the story.
Fun fact, most of the film was shot around Grand Forks, North Dakota, as there wasn’t a lot of snow in central Minnesota the winter they were filming. They did some filming in the Twin Cities though.
Great analysis
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
The Fargo series is such highly quality … If you haven’t seen it, you won’t be disappointed.. 10/10
I'm not sure he was driven by greed. I think he was in debt, possibly due to gamboling.
He had been stealing money from one place to pay back another with the plan to pay back the stolen money before the missing money is noticed.
This can work for a while and may well be employed more often than we know, considering the stolen money is returned before the theft is noticed.
The problem is, if you are more than a few steps in, the money owed gets bigger quickly until there is more than can be repaid.
Good observation
I would argue that the situation he got himself into was driven by greed. His actions in the movie may have been desperate attempts to get out of debt, but greed is what got him there in the first place, especially if using your example of gambling.
Unspecified chicanery set the stage for all that followed.
That is the idea or nearly definition of a Ponzi scheme. It can work for a time period but will almost surely collapse at some point especially as greed continues to grow...
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
It was love at first sight. Best movie ever.
I loved it when I saw it. Your analysis is excellent!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I always figured Mike was just in denial because the person he was obsessed with rejected him vehemetly
I love this franchise 😊
Yeah it's so gripping isn't it!
Watching it the first time, I thought Marge at the roadside crime scene was a hoot. We had just met the criminals and she's smarter by a factor of billions. Lots of twists to come but those idiots were doomed.
Also a major comic theme was the failure of plans, specifically at the points where they depend on how other people will react. If I do this then he'll do that... nope not even close.
I love this movie. Was the reason I watched the first three seasons (And yes, I loved them!) Looking forward to get up to date with the other two :)
Fargo is a very good show!
I have a slightly different interpretation of the $80,000 and splitting the car. If Carl had relented too easily his partner would’ve known that something was up. So he had to put on a big show about wanting to keep the car.
Was there a connection in season 5 to the other seasons. I think I missed that. I was able to quickly catch the connections of seasons 1-4. This season seem to be on a different level. We have a dude who is 100's of years old. Wtf
S2 had an UFO in it , every season has surrealism in it
@@baubaul UFO is real....living over 100s of years....nah...I ain't buying it
Where Moonk kills the old lady’s son with an axe was a callback to the movie.
I think both children are named Scotty. The son in the movie and Dot's daughter.
Marge and Lars share the same last name
Great video! One silly note- the other officer wasn't Margie's partner. She was the CHIEF, yo! 👍
Glad you enjoyed!
It is not because I am old, but why can not anyone tell a good story in the 2020's. This movie is a perfect example of telling a story, real, or not. It was brilliant in every way. I have little interest in seeing movies today because they leave you hanging or the subject matter is not interesting. I know, Netflix has had some good movies, but mostly from one point of view. This movie is story telling at it's finest.
The film takes place almost entirely in Minnesota; while Fargo, in neighboring North Dakota, is only identified near the end as the site of Jerry's arrest by the authorities. That it was given the title 'Fargo' thus seems very elliptical and ambiguous. So the choice must have been made for a reason -- to signify the 'place' (literal or metaphorical) where we can't run any farther and the ugly truth finally catches up with us; the place where we're destined to wind up when we 'go' too 'far.'
Modern Hollywood would ruin a movie like this with over the top CGI, an inflated budget, over promoted talent, and ear blasting sound effects. Marge would have had a wife and the actress who portrayed her would have been constantly been in the news for making outrageous statements. Then, when nobody liked it they would call everybody names like little children.
Just like Gladiator 2...?
I immegrated to Minnesotta from Australia in 2018 and the first yr there was snow I swore I would never go out in it again omg is it cold and Im also totally unable to walk on a slippy footpath without falling on my bum or flat on my face.
nothing wil go wrong. what made it stand out even more is that nothing is going well for him. his loan sheme, the deal he wanted to make with his fatherinlaw, not even the car deals. the customers at the start saying he is a liar. the biggest lie is him thinking he can pull it off.
He was up to some unspecified mischief that got him in a tight spot in the first place. One 'brilliant' idea after another with guys like that.
Love it!
It's a great movie!
Marge is the perfect wife. A loving sweetheart, smart and gorgeous. She’s like super woman lol I mean she investigates the case and makes the arrest while causally feeding her cravings because she’s doing it all pregnant! Winner winner chicken dinner
You described it as an accelerating roller coaster, out of control from the initiating intentions of the protagonist. I wonder...if Vince Gilligan was a big fan of this when it came out, 15 or-so years before BReaking BAd.
Fun fact the guy laying face down in the snow was prince.
This movie came out in 1996. In October 1996, two cheerleaders were abducted and murdered by a neighbor in the village of Dryden, New York. They were dismembered and put through a woodchipper, the remains scattered in the woods. Coincidence?!
copycat
In the 80s a man actually killed his wife and fed her to the woodchipper
My father in law was from that area. He used to hang out in that bar.
That's cool!
Freezer...chainsaw...wood chipper -- the cops in the real-life case didn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to detect a suspicious pattern in that purchase history.
I see those shootings of a man running away as a nod to "Breathless."
You know that McDormand had to sleep with the director to get the role?
Lol, Yes, her husband.
Bada-bop-adop-bop! THANKYOUGOODNIGHT!!! 😁
Bada-bop-adop-bop? THANKYOUGOODNIGHT!!! 😁
The movie takes place in North Dakota, so the reference to Minnesota is confusing.
I want Francis McDermott to play me in my Movie
I always wanted to know WHY Jerry Lundegaard needed the $80 Thousand to begin with.
he took her to a river below a bridge to put her through the chipper. he was seen by two different people. i'm glad i didn't know it was based on that case. it wads such an awful murder.
So the kid says “what if something goes wrong?” when he hears his mother was kidnapped? He must have read his dad and knew it was his hair brained scheme but was caught that he felt he had to protect him and not turn him in.
I guess I subscribe to the principle that everyday life should be mundane. The bad part happens when nastiness and evil become mundane.
season 1 of fargo is entirely perfect imo
Fargo is a great show!
Take away: priorities are paramount in this life. Learn how to love each other or die of the pursuit of Big Bleak money.
To quote Tom Reagan... Nobody knows anybody. Not that well.
We... don't... talk... like... that...
He's a Brit.
This movie was Sooooo good that I drove up to see if I could find the briefcase filled with cash,along side the road.
Look for a red ice-scraper.
@@garykooienga9990 LOL.
12:37 For more Minnesota magic, I suggest Matt Dillon in 'Factotum' for you.
My girlfriend and I watched this in Bangkok Thailand in 1997. We were harassed by numerous Thai people while leaving the theatre by Thai men. We're Americans.
Admittedly, I did not like the Fargo movie the first time I watch it. But I had to watch it multiple more times years later as I played a cop in a theatre production with that accent. The movie sort of grew on me. I love the tv series.
That's interesting! I watched the movie after watching the TV series for the first time and I loved it. I commend Juno for doing the accent so we'll because it sounds like there's so many intricacies to it!
I loved this film
Same! It was such a good one!
It's is a contraction of "it is"
I’m not gonna debate you Jerry !
Best movie EVER!
GMAC, not DMAC. GM is General Motors.
I never got the need for the scene with Mike but i do now... and she married Norm "son of a " gunderson, nice joke but easily missed
I just wonder what kind of financial trouble Jerry got himself into? We know he got money for cars that didn't exist. But why? What did he use the money for or why did he need it?
I think it was just to start his own dealership and be his own boss for a change. Remember the business proposal he brings to his father-in-law and his business partner? He's devastated that all they offer him is a finder's fee; he was hoping they'd help set him up in his own business.
I’m here because of Darko Us. 😂
Ah...crime doesn't pay?
Fargo the movie is excellent; BUT the Helle Craft murder happened in CONNECTICUT