Fargo

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The textbook Flashback: A Brief History of Film states that a common theme amongst the Coen brothers' films is incompetence. The brothers frequently employ unintelligent characters who are no where near as smart as they think they are. In the case of Fargo, the ignorance of the major characters serves two purposes: it advances the plot and provides the dark humor of the film. The plot of Fargo can be boiled down to a harebrained extortion scheme which became unnecessarily complicated due to the botched execution of the plan. It becomes a comedy of errors which continues to increase in lunacy. The book goes on to say that even though the movie ends on a high note, it is undercut by a somber and pessimistic tone regarding the human species.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/fargo.asp

An article on snopes.com claims that the opening disclaimer of Fargo which reads "This is a true story. The events depicted in this film took place in Minnesota in 1987. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred" is completely false. The article goes on to say that the only vaguely similar event that actually took place was the disappearance of Helle Crafts, a Danish flight attendant living in Connecticut in 1986. According to snopes.com Crafts' husband was accused of murdering her, chopping up her body, and feeding her though a wood chipper. The article indicates that this is only a passing resemblance and it is likely the Coen Brothers' weren't even aware of this event. The article concludes that the biggest clue that Fargo's claim is false is the standard "no resemblance to any persons living or dead" note which appears in the end credits of the film.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

The false disclaimer at the beginning of the movie coincides with the Coens' sense of humor. The brothers seem to enjoy clever in jokes and comical misdirection. Ironically, Fargo's claim of truth is opposite Dr. Strangelove's claim to fiction. Fargo's opening text claims the film is based on a true story when in reality it is wholly fictional, whereas Dr. Strangelove is stated to be a work of fiction but directly parodies members of the US Military in the 1960s. The text at the beginning of Fargo is a sarcastic tease which sets the tone for the rest of the film.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Claiming the film is a true story gives it a greater overall impact. The knowledge, even if incorrect, makes the actions of the movie's characters seem all the more meaningful if it was done by and to real people. It gives the film a more realistic and harsh tone which actively involves the audience emotionally. Conversely, the characters speak and interact with one another in a very awkward and alienating manner - discussions are uncomfortable and conversations are very light. Fargo is the movie that established the Coen Brothers' unique sense of humor. Even as early as the movie's trailer the brothers' comedic style is apparent - at first attempting to sell the movie as a lighthearted romp. Almost on a dime the trailer changes tone and shows the true nature of the film as a dark and gritty mystery thriller. In the end Fargo is a hard film to digest, never clearly explaining whether it wants to be a comedy or a dark mystery story. It is this awkward realm of unsure discomfort that makes the Coen Brothers' films so unique and original.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______4/22/14_________________