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Fargo on DVD

Fargo on DVD

We hadn’t seen Fargo before this special edition DVD arrived on our doorstep. We wish we had; it’s a terribly entertaining movie, a combination kidnap caper, comedy of errors, satire, suspense thriller, and blood soaked look at a couple of violent and desperate criminals.

William H. Macy plays Jerry Lundegaard, a used car salesman at his father in law’s GM dealership - but who’s in a bind. He needs money fast; we aren’t sure exactly why but it looks as if he’s been doing some shenanigans at the dealership - though where the money has gone is unclear.

He comes up with a scheme to have his wife kidnapped, and have his wealthy father in law (Harve Presnell) pay the ransom, which he’ll split with the kidnappers.

The plan quickly goes awry and ends up turning into a bloody series of murders and betrayals rather than the rather straightforward caper it was supposed to be. As murder raises its ugly head, small town police officer Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand, who won the Oscar for her performance) gets involved. She’s pregnant, kind of laid back, but sharp as a tack - and she makes the movie.

Margie at first appears to be nothing more than a stereotyped small town cop in a case that’s over her head. She comes off more as a housewife than a cop - but don’t let that fool you.

As with most of the characters, she’s a fount of Midwestern twang and sensibilities - or at least this is how the movie portrays these people. We’ve never been to the area, but it’s believable enough and the liner notes says this is the way people there talk, so we’ll believe them.

Marge is a smart cookie, but in a gentle way that also fools people with whom she deals - including Macy’s character when their paths cross inevitably.

This flick is chock full of great performances. The always-oily Steve Buscemi is one of the kidnpappers, and Peter Stormare (who has maybe twenty lines in his terrifyingly smoldering performance) is the other, and they’re perfectly cast. Macey is also ideal in his characterization; his desperate husband who’s increasingly out of his depth is so stressed out and afraid it’s enough to make you squirm.

Fargo’s portrayal of the accents and mannerism of the people could almost be taken as the filmmakers making fun of them, but it actually comes across more as an homage than a slam. These aren’t Hollywood people, and they don’t act like Hollywood people - yet they’re every bit as smart, as decent - or as stupid and bad - as the glitterati. It’s actually a charming and refreshing look at some “real” people.

There’s some pretty disturbing stuff here, but it’s never over the top and it’s all necessary in order to tell this bizarre story. The violence, and there’s a surprising amount, isn’t dwelled upon; instead it’s handled matter-of-factly with no fuss.

The special edition DVD is very good. MGM has presented it in both anamorphic widescreen and Pan&Scan versions, on opposite sides of the same disc. Picture quality is excellent. Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and is also very good indeed.

You get plenty of extras, too, including a running commentary with director of photography Roger A. Deakins. There’s also a new documentary “Minnesota Nice,” an interview with the Coen Brothers and star McDormand, a behind the scenes photo gallery as well as some other stuff.

This movie may not appeal to the squeamish. But everyone else should definitely see it.

Fargo, from MGM Home Video
98 min. anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1, 16x9 TV compatible)/ Pan&Scan, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Prsnell, Peter Stormare
Produced by Ethan Coen
Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Directed by Joel Coen

 

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