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Other than Miller's Crossing, Fargo is the Coen's best known crime flick. Several roles in the movie were written specifically for certain actors, such as the main role of Marge Gunderson was written specifically for Joel wife Frances, and the role of Carl Showalter was in turn written specifically for Steve Bescemi. Despite that the states at the beginning that it based on a true story of deceit and tradegy--it's not. It's like the Yiddish tale at the beginning of Serious Man, the Coen's did a lot of research to find a true crime story that they could adapt into a script, they didn't find anything they liked or thought they could use without being disrespectful of victims--so they made one up.
The plot revolves around a man who dreams up a plot to get money from his wealthy but stingy father-in-law, by having his wife, the man's daughter, kidnapped and then pocketing most of the ransom money. The husband Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), has a genuinely good idea for a solid investment, but his father-in-law, Wade Gufastason (harve Presnell), is balking on providing investment funds; so Jerry goes through a mechinc with a criminal records, who works at the Gufasfson owned car dealership that Jerry works for a salesman. Through said mechanic, Shep Proudfoot (Steve Reevis), Jerry is put in touch with Gaeare Grimsrud (Peter Stormare), who brings a goofy looking companion along to a meeting in Fargo N.D. There he hands over a car from the dealership for them to drive in Minneapolis to kidnap Jean (Kristin Rudrüd), Jerry's wife. Needless to say, things go criminally awry!
In the film approaching Bairnerd, a huge statue of Paul Bunyan is seen on the side of the road. In reality, the town of Brainerd has no such statue
Willam H. Macy was eager to make a strong impression on the Coen's that he REALLY wanted the role Jerry Lundegaard, that following his audition in Los Angeles, he flew to New York, where the Coen's were and went up to them and blurted out, "I'm very, very worried that you are going to screw up this movie by giving this role to somebody else! It's my role, and I will shoot your dogs if you don't give it to me!" He was, of course, joking.
The ducks that Norm (John Carroll Lynch) supposedly painted for stamps were actually painted by 3 brothers from the Hautmann family who are friends of the Coen's and actually do paint for stamp competitions.
When Grimsrud (Stormare) chases down the car that witnessed him and Showalter drags the dead state trooper, he yells "Jävla fitta!" which translates into "fucking cunt."
In a Kubrick reference, Carl tells the "escort" (Kathy Griffin--who is uncredited in the film) that he is with, that he is in town for "just a little of the ol' in and out."--another reference to A Clockwork Orange.
Native American actor Steve Reevis is a member of the Blackfoot Confederated Nation of Montana and Alberta, Canada.
Specs:
Runtime: 98 min
Rated: R
Color (Arriflex 535 BL4 with Ziess Lenses)
Language: English
Filming Locations: Minnesota and North Dakota
Best Tagline: A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere
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