Fargo | Ending Analyzed & Reviewed

Review and analysis of the ending scenes of 'Fargo.' I discuss the various visual and storytelling devices the Coen Brothers used to bring this absurdly dark and uncomfortably funny movie - with important moral implications - to a perfect close.

[TheGeeHak]

I love how in the end Marge talks about how proud she is of her husband’s painting and no talk of the multiple homicide investigation she solved on her own. Like that was all in a days work for her.

[theproplady]

One question that people seem to have is "How did Marge capture Grimsrud?" It doesn't seem likely that a heavily pregnant woman could capture and drag a giant man to a police cruiser. Well, the Cohens ACTUALLY SET THIS UP! In the earlier kidnapping scene, Mrs. Lundegaard bites Grimsrud, which has a strange effect on him. He immediately stops chasing her and runs to go put something on his wound. He is so singleminded about it that it almost results in the failure of the kidnap scheme. He acts like a huge baby about it, and this shows he has a huge intolerance for pain. I could easily see Grimsrud panicking and melting down after being shot and thus, it being easy to persuade him to go to a police car in exchange for treatment.

[jimmymendoza]

I feel bad for the kid. He lost his Grandpa, his mom, and his dad. And there was 920, 000$ in that suitcase buried somewhere in the snow.

[johnrigs]

Saw this movie a million times and never picked up on Jerry not remembering the fake name he registered at the hotel!
That’s so perfect!
Excellent analysis of one of my all time favorite movies.

[Phantom]

What a masterpiece for 1996. Impressive the cinematography used in this film more movies should follow this format. Casting was very real not just pretty faces. Attention to detail is amazing and the story on point. What I liked the most was the realism they gave this movie. Marge’s Columbo routine was awesome.

[Gunnumn]

Brilliant analysis. I saw this film for the first time 10 or so years ago and everything went over my head. I recently watched it a week ago as of this comment and it was like i saw a different movie. Literally, every frame is a painting. Every piece of dialogue feels like a poem. Fargo might literally be the greatest film of all time.

[keithberns]

That would be considered a beautiful day for that region in winter.

[alaskababaful]

i found marge’s comments in the police car one of the genius scenes in the film...the contrast between marge’s banal remarks ( like a mother scolding a 5 year old) and the knowledge we have of this horror of a man sitting inches away (a man she took down by herself!) extraordinary

[DaveSimkus]

I just watched this movie for the first time. Thank you for the analysis. I'd also like to add, and I know this video is a few years old so forgive me but, there is also a clear and stark contrast of two different lives. One is simple and relaxed yet very happy with what they have and on the other side are the crooks pursuing money because they think they'll be happy but end up losing their freedom and their lives. In the end, the ones who are grateful for what they have are the happy people. At first I was a bit disappointed in the sudden ending because I was itching for the bad guy in the back of the cop car to say something interesting for once or for her to somehow come across that money hidden in the snow.

[toddinthemiddle]

been many times at work when i have quoted margie about there being "more to life than a little money", in regards to some of the guys getting all excited about the pay that they will get from working some overtime.
freedom IS much more valuable than money. i will take time off over money every time.

[timfischer]

Minnesotan here. A bright, clear day with a little sunshine warmth is indeed considered "beautiful" here in February.

[mattmaloney]

That analysis really tied the film together.

[RME-wn]

This movie ages like the finest of wines. One of the best crime dramas ever made. Sir you did a great job on this video and I understand not being able to show clips

[IRGhost]

good analysis.

some thoughts..

at 3:30, i'm not sure if jerry said 'who?' because he forgot his alias, i always interpreted that as more jerry's silly way of trying to trick the police officers, meaning he thought that if he said 'who?', then the police officers would think 'oops, wrong door' and move on.

also, i've never quite been able to figure out how marge (who's 7 months pregnant) was able to get gaear (who was shot in the leg so could barely stand, let alone walk at that point) from his hideout to her police car.

[smerastuff]

I LOVE your analysis. I had to slow down the parking lot one and add subtitles to make sure I understood it all lmaoo but I got it!! You are brilliant. Love that this whole movie kinda felt like a "day-in-the-life" w/ Marge lol

[teambeining]

The “Two more months” line - Frances McDormand, who played Marge, was in the process of adopting a baby internationally - the line was put in there bc she would be finally taking her child home in two months.

[wtfmrb]

Got to hand it too the Cohen brothers. Genius

[catrinamarceline]

it's ironic that the forever stamp pretty much made the small stamps obsolete

[akaashmondal]

Was Gaear released? Because in the back of the car, I don't see him. 2:38

[keithyj]

Well done beautiful breakdown on a cinematic masterpiece