The heavily broadcast trailer for US crime drama Fargo, promising thrilling action and a decent dose of Martin Freeman, were what drew me to watch the pilot on Channel 4. Based on the Coen brothers’ BAFTA Award-winning 1996 original movie, also entitled Fargo, the series both promises a lot, and has a lot to live up to.
The first thing that struck me about the opening credits – along with the scenes of long stretches of Minnesotan roads and the stern face of Coen-esque tough guy character Lorne Malvo – was the proclamation which appeared on screen that “This is a true story. The events depicted took place in Minnesota in 2005. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed.” Having not seen the original Coen brothers film, I did not realise this was a trick played by the pair who did the very same thing back in 1996. Their aim, according to the Coens, was so that the audience would accept some ludicrously outlandish plot devices, giving them a good degree of creative licence. Although their plot lines are not the same, the TV series achieves a similar effect by doing this. The fast-paced, almost caricatured violence is far from what one might term ‘realistic’, but it makes the show what it is. Although heavily violent, the director has managed to maintain the black humour of which the Coen brothers are such masters.
As well as the dark comedy in the show’s violence, the whole thing is simply very funny, maintaining a degree of terror and menace to give you an uncomfortable feeling for finding it amusing at all. A lot of this humour stems from the talents of Martin Freeman. Freeman’s performance as the bumbling Lester Nygaard is wonderful, despite what I would have thought was a slightly dodgy accent. Seeing him play his typical role as the ungainly nerd he so often takes on mixed in with the violent nature of a killer is genius on the part of the producers, and will no doubt promise to pull in a lot of British viewers.
As well as the gripping plot line and hilarious script, Fargo is very well shot, albeit slightly unnerving. Set in a sleepy, snowy town, much of the show was full of bright, almost dream-like scenes, which destabilize the typical expectations for what a dark, bloody crime drama should look like. Certainly, this fits in with the tongue-in-cheek humour and slightly surreal element of the show.
One of the best things about Fargo is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, despite being blessed with a great cast and the backing of the Coen brothers. Although we have currently only been provided with episode one, it has given much promise for the future of the series. As a faithful and doting homage to the Coen brothers, it is a fresh and interesting show for 2014, updating an old classic which will prove, I am sure, a must-watch for the year.
“It doesn’t take itself too seriously” – Can you honestly not come up with an interesting end for your review? or does vision always need to end a piece with lame ass cliché?