Fargo

The Coen brothers classic film, made in 1966.
The Coen Brothers camerawork is of the simple variety, which in Hollywood is a thing to celebrate in itself. They are not unafraid of using long scenes. What we have is the over the shoulder dialogue and the reverse, with an emphasis of whichever particular character is being identified with. We also have the longer, wider shots of the cars sweeping through the landscapes. A special little touch, unobtrusive but effective, is a sweep from character to character in the first analysis of the crime scene. As for the shots that last longer, the brothers hold their nerve nicely here, knowing they can't make too much of a show of this but still having a panache rarely seen in U.S. company.
This film is known for showcasing a wonderful sense of place. Visually, the snow indeed does so (if in quite a one dimensional manner). The dialogue is very well co-ordinated, the script wonderfully written, practically none of it jars. It is simple, as is this whole film, the whole narrative structure. There is never a great feeling of tension, or of worry, surrounding the whole thing. This is, again, simplicity.
The violence is artfully done, quite literally. This is part of the Coen brother's most distinctive, and perhaps their best, skill; an attention to detail that gives their films its peculiar laconic tone. The rendering of jacket lining when shot through with a bullet, or the extra little phrase added on to a chat to the bank teller. These are, in themselves, nothing. But they do mean that the concentration is taken from the main action. They may also make, so to speak, a 'safe haven' for the audience. When we see small pieces that remind us of our own little continuities, our own little moments of texture that make up life, we are taken from the on paper rather overheated plot.
A story that is in reality very simple, it comes together to make a straightforward, excellent film. The characters are well sketched, the pace jumps along, and the atmosphere is amixture of comfortable and hyper-entertainment. An excellent, excellent, film.