Fargo (1996)

Browning Cinema Crime, Blood, and Laughs: The Coen Brothers Directed by Joel Coen With Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy Rated R, 98 minutes, Blu-ray Nominated for seven Academy Awards and winner of two for Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best Original Screenplay (the Coen Brothers) , Fargo was a lead ship in the independent film takeover of the 1996 Oscars. Before that, though, Fargo had already found its way into general watercooler banter with its sharp Minnesota accents and folksy dark humor. The procedural, purported to be based on a true story, follows Brainerd police chief Marge Gunderson (McDormand) , who is seven months pregnant and trying to crack the case that twists together a kidnapping, multiple dead bodies, and a hapless Buick salesperson—all set amongst a mallard painting competition. Sponsored by the Meg and John P. Brogan Endowment for Classic Cinema.