Opened: March 8, 1996

Directed by: Joel Coen

Starring: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell, Kristin Rudrüd, Tony Denman, Steve Reevis, Larry Brandenburg, John Carroll Lynch, Steve Park, Larissa Kokernot, Melissa Peterman, Bain Boehlke, Warren Keith, José Feliciano, Gary Houston & Sally Wingert

A quirky, violent film that keeps on surprising, Fargo is brilliant in everything from its script to its direction and editing to its fantastic cast.

Car salesman Jerry Lundergaard (William H. Macy) hires hitmen Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife Jean (Kristin Rudrüd) at a high ransom against his father-in-law Wade (Harve Presnell). When things go wrong, pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) inspects the crime.

Becoming almost another character, the Minnesotan accent the characters use is highly entertaining. It makes the characters seem so naïve, even when they’re at their most intense moments. McDormand uses her in the best ways and is a joy to watch throughout scenes that might otherwise seem boring.

With moments that surprise, you’ll never be bored.

Final say: Comedy and crime never mixed so well. ★★★★★