Fargo is a story based on true events about a plan to get rich by Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) that winds up not going as he planned. A car salesman struggling financially, Jerry tries to find a way to make some good money. Bringing up a supposed real estate deal to his wealthy father-in-law Wade Gustafson (Harve Presnell) didn't work at all. Instead, Jerry meets up with two small-time criminals, Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare), who are willing to help. Jerry's plan would have Carl and Gaear kidnapping his wife and holding her hostage. After his wife is kidnapped, Jerry then will go to Wade and get him to pay a large ransom which he, in turn, will split with Carl an Gaear. At first, the two are naturally puzzled as to why he'd devise such a plan, but nevertheless, they go along with it. After a few events go awry resulting in some innocent deaths, local police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) is called to the scene and begins to investigate those who may be responsible.
As much as I love The English Patient, this film here deserved to win Best Picture (the Coen brothers were vindicated eleven years later with No Country For Old Men). I don't even know where to begin here: the excellent performances, flawless direction, first-rate cinematography, or the brilliant writing. I could go on and on about the dialogue. It's films like these - along with Tarantino's - that I think would be essential for those in any sort of screenwriting class. The dialogue is dark, vulgar, funny, and incredible rich. Then again, isn't that what the Coens do best? I mean, close your eyes and just listen to that scene I have up above. Just amazing. The performances are phenomenal. McDormand shows just how deserving of Best Actress she really was just with the accent of hers alone. The great character actor William H. Macy (who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor that year as well) gives a terrifically conflicted performance of a man struggling to hide the guilt that clearly eats at him, and both Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare are excellent as the two crooks. There are at least a dozen moments within the film that will have your eyes glued to the screen leading to the one of the most disgustingly picturesque climaxes in film ever. Perfectly crafted by the Coen brothers and exquisitely photographed by cinematographer Roger Deakins, Fargo is a crime-story masterpiece, an instant classic, and a film you will never forget.
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