This week’s Netflix review is for one of the strangest movies ever released and something that I think provides such a unique experience, it becomes unmissable. The film, well deserving of it’s cult following, is about as eccentric as one would expect from a murder/drama/comedy set in the frosty tip of Fargo, North Dakota would be. The film, though dark and violent at times, has a lighthearted goofiness that is unusual given the subject matter. I wouldn’t say that many jokes are made, most of the humor is delivered in the hokey manner of speak that these North Dakotans use. And, lemme tell ya what, they sure do have a funny way a talkin, you betcha!

I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot, so the following is a very brief and simple version of the plot. Your average North Dakota guy, played by Willaim H. Macy, hires two dangerous hitmen, played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare, to kidnap his wife so that he can split the ransom money from her well-off father. This goes horribly wrong, as one would expect, and the rest of the movie focuses on a VERY pregnant police officer, played by Frances McDormand, following an unsightly body trail in hope to catch the culprit. Suffice to say that the plot is much more complicated and nuanced than that, but I really don’t like the idea of giving it all away, due to how weird and unpredictable the film is. I can’t bring myself to spoil anything else about it.

The cinematography of the movie is captivating, and really makes you feel the cold and brutal winters of the wasteland we know as North Dakota. The film has a lot of excellent contrasting shots, a lot of black silhouettes on a white background, and it’s really impressive and fun to watch. I wouldn’t call the film “star studded”, though there are many recognizable faces in the mix. The film’s soundtrack isn’t much to holler about either, but the licensed music that was used really makes the film feel visceral.

The film’s overall greatest strength, to me, is the use of dialogue and banter. I’m a sucker for good banter. From a quick “How ya doin’” to an average North Dakotan family’s dinner conversation, the film is chock full of witty and fun banter. I know I’ve brought it up a few times, but I really do think that the film feels real. The entire thing is witty and there’s something nostalgic about the setting and manner of talking.

With the main plot of the movie revolving around the idea of murderers and otherwise nasty people combined with the fact that this movie is technically a comedy, this movie won’t be for everybody. Some might not get the joke, and others may find it incredibly boring. However, if you’re interested in something that many consider to be a piece of movie history, and one of the most acclaimed cult films of all time, I highly suggest checking out Fargo. It’s on Netflix, after all. Go watch it, right now.