FARGO - Using backstory to solve the present story

When Marge meets up with an old acquaintance named Mike the Coen brothers use it to help her solve the investigation.

They could have had Marge discuss the case with Mike.  Mike could have presented some ideas that might help the case/

But instead they have him portray the same behavior as Jerry.  They have him lie to Marge in order to get what he wants.   A little white lie.  He tells a tall tale about a mutual friend he was married to who died from cancer.

Marge speaks with another friend from her past who says Mike was never married to the girl and she's still alive.

FARGO - Theme

The characters WANT money in the first half.
The characters LACK honesty in the second half.


I wrote awhile back about the Character Flaw in Fargo.  I stated that "Minnesota Nice" was the character trait that is the draw of the story but will need to be overcome if the goal is to be reached.

Another name for the thematic element of "Minnesota Nice" is Trust.

From the very beginning of the story, the Coen brothers weave this theme into the piece.

"This is a true story" is written on the screen right before it begins.  Most people in the audience/readers trust that if it is written then it probably is true.

Jerry trusts the kidnappers.

Jerry trusts his father in law.

Marge trusts Jerry

Marge trusts Mike

Once Marge learns that Mike has been lying to her.  She returns to question Jerry.

Trust has been broken and now it's game on.

  

FARGO - character flaw

The character flaw in Fargo is Minnesota Nice.  It's the simple, homey, comfortable, honest, way of life.

A character flaw is what makes the story interesting but also the thing that must be overcome, let go, put aside in order to reach the goal.

When Marge learns that her old friend Mike was lying to her, she realizes Jerry may be lying to her.