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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Double-sided

- Single layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 98 minutes

- Subtitles: French, Spanish

- Scene selection: Static menus

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9

- Full screen

Audio Features:

- English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround

Bonus Materials:

- Original Theatrical Trailer

- Collectible Booklet

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:       1996

DVD Release:              08/15/00

Review Date:               08/23/00

List price:                     $ 19.98

Avg. on-line price:       $ 13.50

Pre-order price was:    $ 13.50

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy,
  Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, and Harve Presnell

Director: Joel Coen

MPAA Rating: R

Studio: MGM

Movie: A-        Video: B+        Audio: B        Extras: C

Summary: This very original screenplay brings the audience right to the little town 
   of Minnesota where a desperate salesman hires two kidnappers to abduct his wife 
   in order to collect a large ransom from his wealthy but stingy father-in-law.  This 
   dark comedy will keep you laughing and shocked at the same time.  Even though 
   this DVD does not have the desired amount of extra materials, this unique and 
   award-winning screenplay and its low price make it a steal.

The Story

The dialect unmistakably brings the audience right into Minnesota where a small town car salesman (William H. Macy) hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in order to collect a ransom from his rich but stingy father-in-law (Harve Presnell).  The unusual kidnapping plot has flaws from the beginning linking the executors to the husband through the dealership's car.  The plan would have gone smoothly until the thugs go on a killing spree.  After three homicides turn up, the smart and very pregnant Police Chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) is determined to find the killers.  

The dialects, mannerisms, and phraseologies are true to native Minnesota.  "Fargo" exposes the audience to a new environment which, in its own nature, is hilarious and entertaining.  My friends and family truly enjoyed the dialects and mannerisms of the people of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Frances McDormand gave an excellent performance as the relentless Police Chief.  William H. Macy played the character to the T.  This movie has a great original screenplay, casting, and directing.

The Extras

With older movies the extra material tends to be limited because no one knew about DVD.  The DVD includes the original theatrical trailer and a collectible booklet which contains the following sections:  "Coen-gineers" (the brothers' background), "Northern Exposure", "Fact or Folklore?", "Marge", "Jerry", "No Quacks-You Betcha", and "Paul Bunyan's Smirk".  The booklet is a good read.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this enhanced widescreen DVD is quite good.  Colors are accurate and shadow details are nicely captured.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack is well-balanced and effective, examples: the beautiful music during the open scene, car chase, and the wood chipping machine.

Recommendation

This dark comedy movie is so well made that it was a great adventure for me to watch it.  Frances McDormand gave a great performance as a loving and pregnant wife, and a smart and quirky police chief.  Throughout the movie, I kept saying "don't let anything happen to her".  She is also funny in real life being quoted "It's the first time in twelve years of sleeping with the director (her husband) that I got the job, no questions asked."  Is it worth buying or renting?  Definitely, "Yah"!

Buy the "Fargo" DVD at:
 

Amazon.com

Express.com

Buy.com

Rent it at NetFlix.com (Sign up for NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service 
                                           for only $19.95 per month, click here for details)
 

Visit the MGM web site.

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