Buscemi’s scumbag roles, Carl’s sexual habits, funny-looking descriptions and escort date at a José Feliciano concert are aged-best choices. — Chris Ryan
The score and Marge/Norm’s domestic eating-and-bed scenes are aged-best choices, with the buffet and delivered lunch prompting discussion of intimacy and excessive food.
The wealthy father-in-law and unsuccessful son-in-law relationship ages well, especially Wade’s assurance that Jean and Scotty will be provided for. — Bill Simmons
The Minnesota detail and TruCoat negotiation age well; the scene is described as based on Ethan Coen’s dealership experience.
Regional phrases and phone etiquette age well. Carl’s origin is debated, with Midwest cities proposed rather than a definite hometown.
Deakins’s cinematography is admired for the whiteout landscape, ambiguous horizons, opening image and introduction of the criminals; the red woodchipper scene is interpreted as a payoff to the white palette.
Great-shot candidates are the nighttime Paul Bunyan statue, witnesses passing the trooper, Jerry driving past the attendant and the opening whiteout. — Bill Simmons
No clear weak link emerges. Yanagita is defended; graphic violence may repel viewers. Scotty’s lack of curiosity is proposed, then defended because he is frightened, forbidden to call police and has little time.
Jerry is judged especially despicable for neglecting his family, with a villain rating around seven or eight; Gaear is distinguished as a sociopath. — Bill Simmons
A hottest take compares Fargo with No Country for Old Men through money, a sacrificed wife and a police officer confronting evil; Seven is also discussed. — Chris Ryan
Kyle’s hottest take is that Gaear eating pancakes twice is exceptionally strange. The script’s Pancakes House wording is described as deliberate. — Kyle Brandt
A reported Red Auerbach anecdote concerns fining players for eating pancakes. — Kyle Brandt
Casting What-Ifs reports Bill Pullman originally set for Jerry before a scheduling conflict and Richard Jenkins also considered; Pullman is judged too dashing, while Macy’s pursuit of the part is recalled.
