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Fargo

Play trailer Poster for Fargo R 1996 1h 37m Comedy Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 109 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
"Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has gotten himself into debt and is so desperate for money that he hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi), (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his own wife. Jerry will collect the ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell), paying the thugs a small portion and keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses when the thugs shoot a state trooper.
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Fargo

Fargo

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Critics Consensus

Violent, quirky, and darkly funny, Fargo delivers an original crime story and a wonderful performance by McDormand.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 06/14/2021
5/5
The North Dakota setting is icily evocative, the supporting characters perfectly pitched (remember Marge's old flame Mike Yanagita?), while the air of sadness that blankets the film like snow adds genuine profundity. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/10/2021
5/5
Its brilliance [lies] in making the forces of law and order look as interesting and funny as the bad guys. Go to Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times 06/09/2021
5/5
McDormand aside, the secret might be the perfect pitch of the black comedy, the two elements in rare harmony. Go to Full Review Adrian Martin Film Critic: Adrian Martin Jul 30
4/5
I think the film is a very careful meditation on what moral position can be meaningfully, intelligently taken, in this mad, apocalyptic world of ours. Go to Full Review Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast Mar 27
4/5
A memorable black comedy that, without a doubt, stands out as one of the best within the Coen brothers' impressive filmography. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Tom Ryan The Sunday Age 07/16/2024
4/4
Immaculately plotted, beautifully written and superbly shot by British cinematography Roger Deakins, a longtime Coen collaborator, Fargo is a treasure. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jan 8 One of the greatest movies ever made. See more 01/16/2025 This is such a fun movie by the Coen brothers. It is a slice of local color and black comedy. See more Ben G @Ben09387 Jan 6 Timeless classic. Obviously doesn't need my review. Essential viewing. See more Alejandro E @Alex970 Jan 3 The simple trick inspired by a real event still works, despite the passing of time. The straightforward story of a crime that went wrong is still relevant today, making it a classic of the 1990s. See more Patrick S @PatrickStruik Dec 19 A true Coen masterpiece. A funny crime movie. Frances McDormand is brilliant however all acting performances are of a high level. This is one to watch several times and it never gets dull. See more Zane T @ZaneThind Dec 19 This film has some of the best grounded performances you will ever see. The comedy lies with Mike. Roger Deakins does not disappoint with his cinematography at all in this either. See more Read all reviews
Fargo

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Cast & Crew

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Joel Coen

Director

Frances McDormand

Marge Gunderson

Steve Buscemi

Carl Showalter

William H. Macy

Jerry Lundegaard

Peter Stormare

Gaear Grimsrud

Harve Presnell

Wade Gustafson

Movie Clips

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Fargo

Fargo: Official Clip - Pancakes Fargo: Official Clip - Pancakes 0:55 Fargo: Official Clip - Whoa, Daddy Fargo: Official Clip - Whoa, Daddy 3:41 Fargo: Official Clip - A Little Bit of Money Fargo: Official Clip - A Little Bit of Money 2:01 Fargo: Official Clip - Fake Phone Call Fargo: Official Clip - Fake Phone Call 1:29 Fargo: Official Clip - Lundegaard's Dealership Fargo: Official Clip - Lundegaard's Dealership 1:54 Fargo: Official Clip - Carl and the Parking Attendant Fargo: Official Clip - Carl and the Parking Attendant 1:04 Fargo: Official Clip - Officer Lou's Police Work Fargo: Official Clip - Officer Lou's Police Work 1:40 Fargo: Official Clip - The Wood Chipper Fargo: Official Clip - The Wood Chipper 1:55 Fargo: Official Clip - A Finder's Fee Fargo: Official Clip - A Finder's Fee 3:31 Fargo: Official Clip - Morning Sickness Fargo: Official Clip - Morning Sickness 2:09 View more videos

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Fargo

Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Fargo (1996) Minneapolis car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (WILLIAM H. MACY) discovers that even the best laid plans can backfire. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis "Fargo" is a reality-based crime drama set in Minnesota in 1987. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is a car salesman in Minneapolis who has gotten himself into debt and is so desperate for money that he hires two thugs (Steve Buscemi), (Peter Stormare) to kidnap his own wife. Jerry will collect the ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell), paying the thugs a small portion and keeping the rest to satisfy his debts. The scheme collapses when the thugs shoot a state trooper.
Director
Joel Coen
Producer
Ethan Coen
Screenwriter
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Production Co
Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R (Sexuality|Language|Strong Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.5M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, Stereo, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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