Written by: Kevin Berge
Never ever get friendly with a mysterious man at the hospital. That's just a rule of life. (Image Courtesy of: knightleyemma.com)
Quick Take: Fargo Season 1 spirals in its absurdity through wilder moments, capturing a story just honest enough that it is believable but wild enough to be hard to imagine. With strong performances from a top notch cast and writing that captures its dark humor, this is a short series well worth exploring.
***This review focuses on introducing the concept of Fargo as a series, particularly to fresh viewers and will not contain any spoilers either for the series or the original movie. All can read ahead without fear.***
The Coen brothers have crafted many uniquely captivating films over the years. Few though if any are as absurd and memorable as Fargo, the tale of a police chief following a slew of ridiculous escalating homicides. It is a film so unique and impactful it has spawned many imitators who failed spectacularly in comparison.
The Fargo TV series feels like it has come out of the idea of trying to emulate the movie without remaking it. It somewhat lives in the same world as the film, but the characters and situations are radically different. However, that same absurd driving escalation is on full display.
Produced by Joel and Ethan Coen and created by Noah Hawley (Bones), the series has a unique premise each season with a host of top actors attached. Much like its predecessor, it is a difficult series to simply describe with a brief overview especially without spoilers.
The first season is set in Bemidji, Minnesota where a wandering dangerous man Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thorton) makes a stop only to meet depressed insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) and starts him on a dangerous journey that involves the police particularly Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) and officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks).
Other actors with roles in this season are Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Keith Carradine (Nashville), Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy), Oliver Platt (2012), and Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele (Key & Peele). Everyone has a role to play, and they are playing with roles of heightened realism that are both darkly humorous and honestly emotional.
The Coen brothers have crafted many uniquely captivating films over the years. Few though if any are as absurd and memorable as Fargo, the tale of a police chief following a slew of ridiculous escalating homicides. It is a film so unique and impactful it has spawned many imitators who failed spectacularly in comparison.
The Fargo TV series feels like it has come out of the idea of trying to emulate the movie without remaking it. It somewhat lives in the same world as the film, but the characters and situations are radically different. However, that same absurd driving escalation is on full display.
Produced by Joel and Ethan Coen and created by Noah Hawley (Bones), the series has a unique premise each season with a host of top actors attached. Much like its predecessor, it is a difficult series to simply describe with a brief overview especially without spoilers.
The first season is set in Bemidji, Minnesota where a wandering dangerous man Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thorton) makes a stop only to meet depressed insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) and starts him on a dangerous journey that involves the police particularly Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) and officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks).
Other actors with roles in this season are Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Keith Carradine (Nashville), Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy), Oliver Platt (2012), and Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele (Key & Peele). Everyone has a role to play, and they are playing with roles of heightened realism that are both darkly humorous and honestly emotional.
As someone who lives in Minnesota, I find this portrayal of the police... surprisingly accurate. (Image Courtesy of: npr.org)
This is a series that is completely defined by its odd atmosphere. The humor makes for some incredibly dark moments but also many that are quite ridiculous. The combination works as this show's story evolves, never letting any tale rest with many twists along the way that are surprising and affecting.
Billy Bob Thorton (Sling Blade) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) play the most Coen-esque characters with the most outgoing performances, and they are quite memorable. However, Allison Tolman's (Krampus) more subtle and emotional performance might be the standout, keeping the tale grounded.
It is a shame these characters and actors will not carry over to future seasons as many of them are fascinating to watch. The second season is a prequel with only Molly's father returning when he was still a deputy played by a different actor. The only thing carrying over is the "world" and tone.
Fargo has a propensity for repeating ideas. Characters are mirrored by characters in similar roles but with different functions. An important event is revisited in a new way to emphasize the importance, add a new layer to the tale, or just make it seem more ridiculous.
Obviously, Hawley's series will always be compared to the movie he is emulating, but it truly tells its own tale. There are references littering the show, but there are far more unique choices that come as truly faithful to the Coen brothers' vision.
Fargo can be best boiled down to a mystery crime series with a comedic edge, and anything beyond that must be experienced. It is a fantastic fast-moving and sometimes violent affair meant for anyone to experience especially those who enjoyed the original movie.
Billy Bob Thorton (Sling Blade) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) play the most Coen-esque characters with the most outgoing performances, and they are quite memorable. However, Allison Tolman's (Krampus) more subtle and emotional performance might be the standout, keeping the tale grounded.
It is a shame these characters and actors will not carry over to future seasons as many of them are fascinating to watch. The second season is a prequel with only Molly's father returning when he was still a deputy played by a different actor. The only thing carrying over is the "world" and tone.
Fargo has a propensity for repeating ideas. Characters are mirrored by characters in similar roles but with different functions. An important event is revisited in a new way to emphasize the importance, add a new layer to the tale, or just make it seem more ridiculous.
Obviously, Hawley's series will always be compared to the movie he is emulating, but it truly tells its own tale. There are references littering the show, but there are far more unique choices that come as truly faithful to the Coen brothers' vision.
Fargo can be best boiled down to a mystery crime series with a comedic edge, and anything beyond that must be experienced. It is a fantastic fast-moving and sometimes violent affair meant for anyone to experience especially those who enjoyed the original movie.
