“Fargo” Directed by The Coen Brothers

Art by Ricky Riley/VOX staff

By Ricky Riley
VOX Staff

F argo” is a fantastic film by the filmmaking duo, the Coen Brothers. This 1996 film is based on real-life events that took place in Minnesota in 1987. The story is an action-packed thriller that revolves around the murder of the protagonist’s wife. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), is like any other American guy: broke and down on his luck. So he decides to hire Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) to kidnap his wife Jean (Kristin Rudrud) so he can collect the $1 million ransom paid by her father. But Carl ends up killing both the wife and her father.
Jean is the bone of contention throughout the film, and when she is mistakenly killed, all hell breaks loose for Jerry. Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), a pregnant cop from Minnesota, tenaciously tries to solve the case. In the end it all goes down hill for Jerry — and of course, good prevails.
The Coen Brothers wrote, directed and edited many films that have won awards, including four Oscars. Their films, like “Fargo,” show the complexity of human emotion and the dark side of human nature. In this film, the Coen Brothers write from each character’s point of view, causing you to sympathize with all characters — good and bad. All of their films, somehow, fit into the film noir genre. They are dark, bloody and realistic.

Ricky is a senior at Southwest DeKalb High who just produced his first short film.