Fargo

**** out of ****

1996’s “Fargo” is perhaps the recently rewarded Coen Brothers’ (2007’s big Oscar winner, “No Country for Old Men”) masterpiece, a violent black comedy about one man’s thirst for money and respect at the expense of his wife, whom he hires a pair of killers to kidnap for a reward from which he will collect half. William H. Macy delivers his best performance on film as the whimpering husband, Jerry Lundegaard, but Frances McDormand steals the show as the clever, moral, and very pregnant policewoman, Marge Gunderson, who begins investigating the case when the killers become sloppy. The Coen Brothers’ intelligent screenplay (for which they won an Oscar) features a story that adeptly analyzes the complex human psychology. Add it to the aforementioned sublime performances and an unprecedented utilization of “Minnesota nice,” and “Fargo” becomes one of the best films of our time. 1996, 98 mins.