This is, of course, the most beautiful snub in the history of cinema. Fargo, released on screens in 1994, is the film that introduced the world to the unique talent of Joel and Ethan Coen. In this black comedy, two brothers retell the story of ordinary news in the snowy landscapes of Minnesota.
A debt-ridden car salesman (William H. Macy) arranges to kidnap his wife. He hopes to be able to share the ransom his father-in-law will pay with the two thugs. But the plan doesn’t go as planned and the case draws the attention of a young, heavily pregnant cop (Frances McDormand).
A false true story
At the very beginning of the film, it is indicated that it is an adaptation of a true story that took place in 1987 in the state of Minnesota. “At the request of the survivors” (according to the opening card), the names of the characters have been changed, but all the events described by the feature film are kept as they are.
This message thus led people to believe that Fargo was based on a true story, and even today many fans of the film still believe this. And yet, this is misinformation from the Coen brothers to influence the level of public acceptance. “If the audience believes that it’s a true story, it gives you permission to do things that they wouldn’t get in any other situation.” Joel Cohen told Time Out.
In defense of the two filmmakers, Fargo was indeed inspired by authentic stories. But this novel was only a simple source of inspiration for the Cohens, who then completely invented the characters and their plot development. Thus, Fargo won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, not Best Adaptation.
There are other secrets hidden in the film
This is not the only trick in the film. The most observant fans were able to note the presence of Prince (with his logo) as an interpreter. “Corpse in the Field”. This is a nod to the cameo that the pop star was supposed to make in the film, but ended up not making it due to scheduling reasons.
Finally, there is no chief film editor! Roderick Janes’ name appears in the credits of most of the Coen brothers’ films, as well as in the foreword of the bilingual edition of The Barber. However, after several years of deception, it turned out that this editor, who was an old Englishman, was actually just an alias used by two filmmakers.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
