Fargo - Film Analysis

A quick analysis of "Fargo" (1996), one of the Coen Brothers' most classic and highly praised films

[johnking]

I love the fact Marge has so much depth to her character but is still so simple to understand.

[jeansenn]

What has always held my attention about Fargo is the character of Marge. The character is very sincere and believable. Yet beneath this exterior is an uncanny toughness. She is very purposeful.

[SomethingSomethingg]

I've almost wondered if Jerry was more in love with Wade than with Jean. Not in a sexual or romantic way but what Wade represents. Wealth, power, the ability to command attention, adoration from his subordinates. Everything Jerry wants but doesn't have. He is more concerned with Wade than with Jean and Scotty and is so pathetically desperate for his respect. He even puts the man's dead body in the trunk of his car. One gets the feeling he even dated and married Jean just to get access to Wade. Ironically, and tragically, Jean and Scotty DO respect Jerry. They're the only people in the world who respect him. But Jerry doesn't appreciate them because they don't represent what he wants. A housewife and a child are just a burden to a social climber, not an asset.
Ironically, though, I think he also hates Wade. Wade loves Jean more than Jerry does and I think part of why Jerry was so eager to have her kidnapped was the joy he'd feel knowing Wade was under duress. I wish there was more of an analysis on Wade because he's very overlooked but nevertheless an integral part of the plot.

[keldonmcfarland]

@2:47 I love the opening scene of Fargo and the beginning of the action. The two criminals give the best advice the "plan" doesn't make any sense and just ask the old bastard father-in-law for the money!
It's the one conversation that would have undone all the action.

[stevendavis]

I have Both Fargo and No Country for Old Men in my movie Library. Both movies have a slow burn to the plot that I find fascinating. There Will be Blood is the same way

[Lucie_L]

I have a film analysis exam tomorrow either on Fargo or on Edward Scissorhands so thank you for this video!

[Commendo]

What’s interesting to me is that it’s one of The Cohen’s first masterpiece, they both co-wrote it but only Joel directed it. The script is filled with ODD COUPLES

[robertmarginean]

The Coens' style isn't quite on my wavelength, but man do I love Fargo and No Country

[rleonard]

Don't forget the fact that not one moment in this movie feels like padding or a waste of time. Every last thing every character says and does plays into the grand scheme of things in a way no other film I have ever seen before does.

[TheDude]

On a side note, the OST [for both the movie and the tv show] is so underrated, it holds so much epicness and the setting's personality.

[vineetbhatia]

You nailed it! Rewatching the film after seeing this video I realised that this movie is actually very realistic and also different from many crime films out there, like you said.

[gnolan]

Insightful especially the grounding in goodness comparison with No Country. Tommy Lee's character is become a stranger in his own land whereas Margie remains thrilled and triumphant with the 3 cent stamp. Thanks for speaking slowly with articulate pronunciation. I don't know why so many people are in such a manic hurry when they speak.

[tomsnowden]

From the very beginning with the mix up at what time Jerry was supposed to meet Carl and they can never even resolve that little issue you understand what’s gonna happen and why

[TeemarkConvair]

nearly 3 decades on FARGO is a signpost!, a gem of the simply complicated nature of humans!

[chrispotter]

Yo ignore the people commenting about how fast you talk. The fact that you’re speaking slowly means you’re putting thought behind what you’re saying anyway. Great analysis you made here. I’m starting to get more into cinema and its great to hear a film students perspective on great movies like this one. I’m finally getting into the Cohen brothers. I’ve seen buster Scruggs and now Fargo what are some other good ones?

[TheRyanos]

The clumsiness of all the characters is what really stood out to me. From how incompetent the cops were and how unmotivated they seemed to be with the case, as they were more interested in what to have for lunch (seemed like they had no urge to solve the case quick), to how clumsy those two bad guys were, especially Steve Buscemi's character (who was frikkin hilarious by the way).

[johndoe-uzkc]

Jerry had no business doing any of this, he was simply too stupid to see it through or get away with it, the fact he was caught in a motel in north Dakota says it all, moron only went a few hundred miles and stopped for a little rest in full view of a busy road, even got into pajamas, what was his plan after jumping out the window in his t shirt and boxers? It just shows he just didn't think things through 🙄.

[Treblaine]

I was very disappointed with the streaming version on Amazon as the quality was so low that every scene with snow had extremely obvious noise. Is this in all versions?

[troy]

It's not an easy film to analyze because it forces you to simply take it all in, rather than stand outside it and look at it critically.

[petermoore]

hey man I love your analysis, Fargo is an all-time favorite of mine.

if I could give a tip, maybe speed up your phrasing a bit and avoid vocal fry. other than that, you're doing a great job, keep it up