Fargo (1996)

Joel and Ethan Coen, 1996
R; 98 minutes

“[The] Coen brothers’ snowbound noir is still a work of gleaming brilliance.” –Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Fargo is a darkly comic crime thriller set in the snowy landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota. The film follows Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a financially desperate car salesman, who hires two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in a scheme to extort ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. However, the plan spirals out of control, leading to a series of grisly murders that attract the attention of Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand), a tenacious and pregnant police chief.

Stay cool this August with a series of films set in wintry weather. “My Favorite Films” features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism. This series of films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they draw you in again and again. While many of these films are available through streaming, seeing them in theatre is always more fun.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern followed by an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterward with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online. Click here to purchase tickets online.