Mr. Bennett made an interesting comment today about the similarities between In Bruges and Fargo. They are two very similar films, but I think if you compare them, it is pretty obvious which film is superior.
Both films are meditations on the darkness of life and it's other bleak prospects. In Bruges features many terrible things, such as the murder of a young boy in a church, or the shooting of a friend. Fargo has the same type of morally objectionable elements, such as theft, murder, and kidnapping. But the way these elements are put on the screen is very different.
In Bruges uses contrast. They put all of these terrible things in a city that is beautiful beyond measure. Things in it can make you question your own existence profoundly. How could murder exist in such a perfect city? How can your own friend shoot you in the back? Through the use of contrast, In Bruges paints a dark picture in the middle of a beautiful one.
Fargo, on the other hand, uses a technique I could less than affectionately call exhaustion. It constantly shows a bleak, snowy, and barren landscape. It has irritating characters that cannot get over the middle-class hump, and are otherwise unable to pronounce most words correctly. Like Mr. Bennett said, at the end of the movie, you are overcome with that bleak feeling that it tries so hard to portray. It's inherent in almost every single scene, until you cannot help but feel what the directors want you to feel. This effect is akin to bashing the audience over the head with 98 minutes of snowy torture.
When you think about the things in life that catch your eye the most, what is almost always included? Comparison and contrast! Whether its a weight-loss commercial, a new TV, video game system, whatever! The contrast shown in In Bruges makes it so much more effective.
In Bruges possesses a subtelty that cannot be matched in Fargo, and it is also superior in the message that it tries to give to the audience(in my opinion). In Bruges ponders questions of heaven and hell, and the consequences of our actions on this earth. Fargo didn't seem to have that much of an underlying message, at least I didn't feel it did. In Bruges also has funnier comedic moments, which is important since both films are considered to be black comedies.
I challenge any who don't believe me to go see both movies and then decide which is better!!!
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I accept your challenge.
ReplyDeleteYou are incorrect.
In Bruges is a terrific film, but Fargo is terrificer...er...more terrific. Both films possess a great screenplay, but Martin McDonagh's direction, although impressive, pales in comparison to the masterful Coens. You can filibuster me til the end of days, but I will never bend to the fact that the Coens are anything less than brilliant.
The messages in both films are different. In Bruges discusses how our sins affect our afterlife, whereas Fargo just talks about the here and now. Fargo does not tease the viewer with the possibility of an afterlife and just tells it as it is. It is just a matter of personal preference when you discuss which of these you prefer. I for one, enjoy both.
And this may be a bit of a stretch, but I believe Fargo uses a bit of comparing/contrasting as well. It is not as heavy as In Bruges, but I think it is there. The people in Fargo are simple-minded and highly relatable. Most of the time, characters are seen either eating fast food or watching TV, or both. Think of Marge and her husband. In every single scene they are in together, they are either eating or in bed together. That is the absolute symbol of normalcy. However, while we see these normal people with seemingly normal lives, we come across a guy who has created a horrible kidnapping plot so he can get some money. If you look at William H Macy, do you think of a criminal? No, you think of a typical Joe with a bit of a squeaky voice. Yet he has orchestrated something that caused 5 deaths. So does that not make the comparison of the normal life against total chaos?
And again, a black comedy doesn't necessarily HAVE to be laugh out loud funny. Satirical is enough.
Benny, I think you bring up many good points and you make the point that there are certainly similarities and differences. I think In Bruges was better and I made a post which addresses some of the things you say, but you have very well thought-out ideas and good back-up evidence. I'm happy you made this post.
ReplyDeleteNick, you are indoctrinated with the Coen Brothers and you are a disciple of them. Personally, I think that the characters of Fargo are supposed to show the ridiculousness of people, not the normalcy. Quite the opposite. The Coens are very smart and make great movies, but they are far from perfect. Some of their stories are too quirky and don't work.