SummaryJerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has landed himself deep into debt. Desperate for money, he hires two inept crooks to kidnap his own wife in the hope that her wealthy father will pay the ransom, giving him enough cash to pay off his associates and clear his debts.
Directed By:Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Written By:Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Fargo
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
88
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.5
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
92% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
8% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Fargo, more than any of the Coens’ other work, is a study in contrast, namely in the sense that it’s made by two people who were clearly at one time insiders, but who have now taken the opportunity to see the Midwestern template from the outside. As such, every interaction in the film registers as a direct reflection of incongruous elements and repressed tensions.
100
This may be the warmest movie the Coen brothers have ever made. There's something unmistakably human beneath the oh-so-clever surface.
User score
Universal Acclaim
90% Positive
642 Ratings
642 Ratings
9% Mixed
61 Ratings
61 Ratings
1% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Jun 16, 2022
10
Although Fargo is short with 98 minutes of runtime, but it describes the morality of the Coens brothers mind and they do it great.
Nov 2, 2021
10
Here an other Coen brothers' masterpiece. Every shot here is like a painting and the film is also beautifully edited other than directed. This movie is a mix of dark comedy, thrilling and splatter with explosions of violence that really fit the movie's main theme : human stupidity. You have Coen at their best here. Easily one of Coen's best movies.
100
The fans of their best work -- "Blood Simple, "Raising Arizona," "Barton Fink" -- now can add Fargo to the list, pushing the Coens to the first rank of contemporary American filmmakers. [8 March 1996, Friday, p.B]
90
The Coens are masters at striking a tone and holding it.
88
The Coens haven't been this sharp, focused and fluid since their first film. This is "Blood Simple's" promise fulfilled.
80
This mordant, macabre look at the American obsession with fast food, television and murder is icily funny.
40
All attitude and low aptitude.
Jan 15, 2021
10
A classic.
Witty, smart, violent and quirky, it has all the ingredients to be, and is, one of the best black comedy crime capers ever made.
The casting in this movie deserves a mention as well. It is superb.
Mar 23, 2022
6
This movie is well done; however, it's so dark and dreary that I couldn't enjoy the black humour. If you want a crime film with good acting, a plot that you can't guess, and if you can stomach a miserable tone throughout the movie - this film is for you.
Aug 20, 2023
3
Don't mistake my low score for thinking it is a bad movie. It just wasn't for me. IMO, It was a bit too slow and predictable. I understand for its time that it may have been well-received but I don't believe this is the kind of movie that has aged well at all.
Aug 9, 2016
3
The movie was boring, unfunny and not that well acted. The characters were all annoying (Especially the pregnant cop) and the story was very stupid and unbelievable. This overrated movie doesn't deserve all the praise it gets.
Production Company:
- Polygram Filmed Entertainment
- Working Title Films
Release Date:Mar 8, 1996
Duration:1 h 38 m
Rating:R
Tagline:A homespun murder story.
Website:
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Wins & 7 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 4 Nominations
Online Film & Television Association
• 5 Wins & 12 Nominations
