Fargo

Pros: A brilliant masterpiece.
Cons: No, no, you betcha.

Fargo (1996, R)

Directed by Joel Coen

Written by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen

Starring Francis MacDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy

As Reviewed by James Brundage

Fargo, like The Big Lebowski, and...

Pros: writing, direction, characters, cinematography
Cons: ethnic humor, odd mix of light humor and violence

"Fargo" is technically a comedy, but is darker and has more dramatic elements than most other Coen brothers projects. As usual, Joel Coen is the director, Ethan Coen is the producer, and both team up for the screenplay. The biggest surprise...

Pros: Script, humor, casting
Cons: The accentsa and stereotypes go a little too far

The beginning of the film left me thinking. Were the events in "Fargo" really based on a true story, or was it another joke from The Coen Brothers??? Regardless this was still a great, funny DARK black comedy.

Jerry Lundegaard(F....

Pros: Black humor, excellent characterization and acting
Cons: None

Joel and Ethan Coen, the Coen Brothers (a.k.a. the Brothers Coen), have brought the world a handful of bizarre yet funny movies, among them Blood Simple and Raising Arizona, but none so bizarre or funny as Fargo. Cleverly morbid and supposedly based on...

Pros: Well written and acted
Cons: has killing in it

I saw this movie with a bunch of friends in college and really enjoyed it. The Coen bothers out did themselves with this movie. I think that it is there best yet of those that I have seen like Barton Fink. The movie is actually based on a true story...

Pros: Humur, realism, everything, i guess
Cons: Humur may be way too dark for more serious viewers

Audiences for Fargo, the latest film from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, are likely to be divided into three sectors: those who spend most of the movie laughing themselves silly; those who shrink in their seats with a growing sense of horror; and those...

Pros: Great acting, wonderful story.
Cons: Extremely bloody.

I just saw FARGO again and I have to say I was equally parts amused and disturbed. This is, at points, a terribly bloody film, but the Coen brothers always manage to include just that little bit of comic absurdity into the worst of these scenes to take...

Pros: Interesting story, humorous
Cons: Tries too hard to make fun of Minnesotans, unnecessary subplot

"Fargo" is another movie that I watched solely because it was nominated for an Oscar. I have to agree that it is very good film, but I think it also had a few flaws.

"Fargo" is the story of an ambitious car salesman who...

Pros: Good sleeping material
Cons: Poor story line

The story line takes place in North Dakota but most of the film is shot in Minnesota. After I watched "Fargo" it made me think that this movie really sets a bad example for North Dakota. I could not stay awake. I don't see how it could have won...

Pros: Puts you to sleep if you are having trouble
Cons: Simply boring

I really hated this movie. It was the worst movie that I had ever seen besides Reservoir Dogs. I had a hard time trying to follow this movie. The movie was boring and uncaptivating. Everyone who saw the movie said that it was the best thing they had...

Pros: Hilarious, Feminism as it should be
Cons: A watch once film

I thought Fargo had the strongest female role I'd ever seen. I loved the fact that the pregnant police officer was not just immitating men like the typical 'strong female' role. She didn't have muscles to spare. Didn't have a secret angst to...

Pros: Outstanding performances; original concept; many funny moments; captivating atmosphere.
Cons: The story is a bit choppy, some details are missing; many won't "get" it.

If I had to choose one word to describe "Fargo" it would be… difficult. No seriously, it's difficult to classify its genre, it's difficult to describe its plot and most of all it's difficult to explain why it's such an excellent film. The Coen brothers ...

Pros: William H. Macy is a fine actor - He does a great job here
Cons: The 'let's pick on Mid-westerners' attitude that pervades the entire film

Plot synopsis: A hapless, down-on-his-luck car salesman (played with great panache by William H. Lacy) concocts a bizarre scheme to have two bumbling thugs kidnap HIS OWN wife in order to extort money from her wealthy father. This film is ...

Pros: Wicked Funny. Dialects are nailed down pat. Classical music scores are riveting on surround sound.
Cons: This movie is addictive. You'll spend 70+ hrs of your life watching it.

I didn't get it when I watched it the first time. But then on the urging of my best friend, I watched it again... and again... AND AGAIN. Now Fargo is probably my favorite movie of all time. Fargo is based on a true story. Fargo is disturbing. Fargo ...

Pros: Great audiovisual quality; good menus; informative onscreen tips; interesting interview
Cons: Commentary track is slightly bland; boring featurette is unnecessary filler

This review was first posted to Amazon on January 18, 2009: http://www.amazon.com/review/R IYKMBFJM8M1R/ref=cm_cr_rdp_per m/ So far, MGM has released two DVD editions of "Fargo;" both are good, and the Special Edition is the better of the two. ...