Marge is indeed one of the greatest protagonists in movie history, in a movie that is black comedy at its best. It is also deeply spiritual in that it shows the consequences of sin.
I really admire how you take the time to even read and better yet respond so much of these really biased and unintelligent comments. That has to be the Grace of God keeping you and I pray that He continue to. I love to watch your comments. They are very thought provoking.
That was the best analysis of Fargo that I've ever seen. He's one cool priest! I love the Coen Brothers and they do deal with alot of weird issues. 10/10 - Thanks for posting!
NPR has a fascinating interview with Cathleen Falsani (author of "The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers"). She also compares *Fargo* to the works of Flannery O'Connor and calls Marge a Christ figure. Very interesting, compelling stuff.
If you haven't already, you should watch Fargo the anthalogy series. It carries on the sprit of the movie, each season (4 which tell a different story) have story elements about the corrosive effects of crime/greed and each season even has at least one overt mention of something Christian related
Good grief... "Margie" and "Norm" - I had literally never even noticed that before! Of course, that also makes sense now of why the only actual customer in Cheers! would be called "Norm", too - he's the only worker drone, all of the others (even his drinking partner, Cliff the Mailman) are members of a recognised skilled or semi-skilled profession that defines who they are. Norm isn't any of those things, he's just a drunk that works as an administrator in some office somewhere nearby. Or, more accurately, considering how very rarely anybody in a Cheers! (So far as I can recall) ever appeared to get seriously hammered, he's a man who avoids going home to spend time wife his wife, or not without first getting a few cold ones down his neck first to deaden him some to the impact of all of her drama.
Bishop Robert Barron, do you think you will look into the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"? It is filled to the brim with christian imagery, circling around the mythical "Holy Grail" and the crusades in the Levant. What I find particularly interesting is the development of the main charachter, Indiana Jones" in terms of his faith, culminating in the scene in which Jones risks his life on a leap of faith, the invisible bridge leading to the cave inwhich the Holy Grail is located.
@TheAlexington I don't know, friend. Did the Misfit "get it?" Did he respond to the offer of grace? We're not sure. In fact, Flannery said that her stories are about the offer of grace, usually refused. Marge did indeed offer the killer a moment of grace. Did he respond? We don't know.
I looked further into the theme song of Fargo "the lost sheep", it is a Christian song about a lost sheep that was saved by the Shepard Jesus. Do you believe that somehow Gaear Grimsrud was saved in prison? Could he be the lost sheep? Could he even be saved?
There are two "children" in the movie. One the movie looks forward to at the end and the other the movie forgets about. Everyone in the movie forgets along with the movie itself - and law and behold - you have forgotten him too, you have forsaken him. The last sentence in the movie is a mantra of abandonment. Please, let us reflect on this and return to simple honesty, fallow being. Please forget to worship a golden calf and remember this, us - the truth.
frostie...this isn't nonsense. I learned these same analytical techniques for literature and film while in school as (go figure) a lit major and later for my second degree in film & communications. The fact that he's a priest isn't really playing into this. He's dead on with his analysis...and the Coens would agree no doubt.
Paul says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So I agree with you, friend, that we are all sinners. What I don't get is why you object to my using the term?!
I had to feel sorry for Gerry Lundegard. He was such a hapless looser, and every time he tried to cover up one crime, it only led to an even worse situation.
Sorry, friend, I just don't remember that conversation. What "facts?" And I'm not insinuataing that you should "base your life" on my review of a movie!
it was a good commentary but you were reaching about the name of the movie. It has nothing, absolutely nothing with your thoughts on it. The name of the movie was take from the city of Fargo where the movie was to be filmed in (but there was not enough snow that year to film in fargo) Beyond that, I liked the commentary. I just wanted to point out that when you overreach like that, it is blant and turns some people off of your words. My local priest does the same.
I have to say that I liked your review up to where you start refering to people as "sinners", the rest. I have always wonder why the catholic church has always like to call anyone who does not belong to their group a sinner. It is just plain wrong. We all are sinners.
I disagree I think when Marge is in the talking to the 'nefarious criminal' as you call him she fails to understand why somebody would do this beyond the fact of the little bit of money. So by that token Marge can't empathise with him. In the next scene we see Marge return to her blissful life and this is where it gets interesting. Marge fails to find resolution not just in the character but in why something like this would happen but hardly even tries she's disconnected and the viewer is forced to seek meaning in why the events happened. Finally the score for Fargo is an adaptation of a Norwegian folk song and that song is about the parable from the Bible about the lost sheep. I don't think it's a stretch to see that all characters in this movie are like that apart from the blond haired criminal you see he's not a Minnesota nice character he's cold and remote just like Fargo and in the end Marge just finds him by chance. All the failures in his plan were as a result of his partner not him.
I think i'm getting addicted to this guy's nonsense. Any good, pure character cannot really be truly human or be showing real human decency instead they have to be tired messianic symbols. Not everything good is evidence of spirituality. Also it's called Fargo because it's a City in North Dakota not because a bastion of christian normality has to ''go far'' or has 'far to go' to the margins of society.
And yet Fargo itself has very little to do with the plot, doesn't it? Why do you think they chose the name of that very city as the title of the movie? It makes sense as described in the video. 7 year old comment, I know... but still.
It's so refreshing to have such a fresh and intelligent perspective on a movie that I have seen so many times. Thank you, Bishop Barron.
Marge is indeed one of the greatest protagonists in movie history, in a movie that is black comedy at its best. It is also deeply spiritual in that it shows the consequences of sin.
One of the best reviews I've seen!
What makes Fargo amazing is its clash of humour and violence, and its spirituality.
I’m not gonna debate you Jerry. I’m not gonna sit here and debate.
Wow! I never thought of any of it like that. Thank you Bishop Barron! I think I have to rewatch the movie now in light of your review!
I loved fargo, very good movie, series is great too
I really admire how you take the time to even read and better yet respond so much of these really biased and unintelligent comments. That has to be the Grace of God keeping you and I pray that He continue to. I love to watch your comments. They are very thought provoking.
This is a brilliant little piece. Well done and thanks!
That was the best analysis of Fargo that I've ever seen. He's one cool priest! I love the Coen Brothers and they do deal with alot of weird issues. 10/10 - Thanks for posting!
"It's such a beautiful day. That seemed odd to me. .It's dark, and cold, and full of snow.
NPR has a fascinating interview with Cathleen Falsani (author of "The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers"). She also compares *Fargo* to the works of Flannery O'Connor and calls Marge a Christ figure. Very interesting, compelling stuff.
So short and so direct to the point that it hurts. Do we as christians meet the standard of the Church at her best?
Impressive commentary. I never thought of it like that.
Interesting analysis.
Marge is my favourite movie character of all time.
I am not a church goer en do not consider myself religious, but here is a pastor I would be eager to hear a (nother) sermon from
I like hearing him speak, he is down to earth and has good lessons
If you haven't already, you should watch Fargo the anthalogy series. It carries on the sprit of the movie, each season (4 which tell a different story) have story elements about the corrosive effects of crime/greed and each season even has at least one overt mention of something Christian related
Brilliant Marge and Norm
Good grief... "Margie" and "Norm" - I had literally never even noticed that before!
Of course, that also makes sense now of why the only actual customer in Cheers! would be called "Norm", too - he's the only worker drone, all of the others (even his drinking partner, Cliff the Mailman) are members of a recognised skilled or semi-skilled profession that defines who they are.
Norm isn't any of those things, he's just a drunk that works as an administrator in some office somewhere nearby.
Or, more accurately, considering how very rarely anybody in a Cheers! (So far as I can recall) ever appeared to get seriously hammered, he's a man who avoids going home to spend time wife his wife, or not without first getting a few cold ones down his neck first to deaden him some to the impact of all of her drama.
Bishop Robert Barron, do you think you will look into the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"? It is filled to the brim with christian imagery, circling around the mythical "Holy Grail" and the crusades in the Levant. What I find particularly interesting is the development of the main charachter, Indiana Jones" in terms of his faith, culminating in the scene in which Jones risks his life on a leap of faith, the invisible bridge leading to the cave inwhich the Holy Grail is located.
Brilliant analysis of a brilliant movie.
@TheAlexington I don't know, friend. Did the Misfit "get it?" Did he respond to the offer of grace? We're not sure. In fact, Flannery said that her stories are about the offer of grace, usually refused. Marge did indeed offer the killer a moment of grace. Did he respond? We don't know.
Did I ever imply that the film has "one" meaning?
I looked further into the theme song of Fargo "the lost sheep", it is a Christian song about a lost sheep that was saved by the Shepard Jesus. Do you believe that somehow Gaear Grimsrud was saved in prison? Could he be the lost sheep? Could he even be saved?
Well tell me precisely where you think I'm wrong or "ungenuine."
excellent. The Bishop's description of the qualities of a good priest has overlap with the qualities of a good police officer.
All new to me but introduces another aspect.
There are two "children" in the movie.
One the movie looks forward to at the end and the other the movie forgets about. Everyone in the movie forgets along with the movie itself - and law and behold - you have forgotten him too, you have forsaken him.
The last sentence in the movie is a mantra of abandonment.
Please, let us reflect on this and return to simple honesty, fallow being.
Please forget to worship a golden calf and remember this, us - the truth.
frostie...this isn't nonsense. I learned these same analytical techniques for literature and film while in school as (go figure) a lit major and later for my second degree in film & communications. The fact that he's a priest isn't really playing into this. He's dead on with his analysis...and the Coens would agree no doubt.
Bishop Barron is pretty good at his police work.
That reminds of City of God, some people think the title is some kind of metaphor or irony.
Have you ever been to Fargo?
Paul says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So I agree with you, friend, that we are all sinners. What I don't get is why you object to my using the term?!
Im Atheist so normally I wouldnt take any review from someone like yourself seriously but I actually really liked your view.
I had to feel sorry for Gerry Lundegard. He was such a hapless looser, and every time he tried to cover up one crime, it only led to an even worse situation.
amzing guy... for a priest. Probably one of very few priests that is not a complete parasite and one that has something valuable in offer to humanity.
Dang, Bishop, you have a charism.
@misterzonker2584 What? Jews can't make reference to the central figure in Western culture?
No one suggests otherwise least of all Catholics.
Sorry, friend, I just don't remember that conversation. What "facts?" And I'm not insinuataing that you should "base your life" on my review of a movie!
A priest seeing Fargo? Wow!
it was a good commentary but you were reaching about the name of the movie. It has nothing, absolutely nothing with your thoughts on it. The name of the movie was take from the city of Fargo where the movie was to be filmed in (but there was not enough snow that year to film in fargo)
Beyond that, I liked the commentary. I just wanted to point out that when you overreach like that, it is blant and turns some people off of your words. My local priest does the same.
I have to say that I liked your review up to where you start refering to people as "sinners", the rest. I have always wonder why the catholic church has always like to call anyone who does not belong to their group a sinner. It is just plain wrong. We all are sinners.
that's a good interpretation but as someone highly irreligious I'm not sure that satisfies me
Or it could just be a film called Fargo about a detective called Marge.
There's no reference to James Bond in the movie at all.
I disagree I think when Marge is in the talking to the 'nefarious criminal' as you call him she fails to understand why somebody would do this beyond the fact of the little bit of money. So by that token Marge can't empathise with him. In the next scene we see Marge return to her blissful life and this is where it gets interesting. Marge fails to find resolution not just in the character but in why something like this would happen but hardly even tries she's disconnected and the viewer is forced to seek meaning in why the events happened. Finally the score for Fargo is an adaptation of a Norwegian folk song and that song is about the parable from the Bible about the lost sheep. I don't think it's a stretch to see that all characters in this movie are like that apart from the blond haired criminal you see he's not a Minnesota nice character he's cold and remote just like Fargo and in the end Marge just finds him by chance. All the failures in his plan were as a result of his partner not him.
Why do you find a need to promote Hollywood.
I find Father Spyridon (Greek Orthodox) videos far more spiritual.
Yes, she is like Christ - 100% fictional
You've 'fargoed' yourself here. 'Marge on the margins'? 'normal Norm'? Come on.
I think i'm getting addicted to this guy's nonsense. Any good, pure character cannot really be truly human or be showing real human decency instead they have to be tired messianic symbols. Not everything good is evidence of spirituality. Also it's called Fargo because it's a City in North Dakota not because a bastion of christian normality has to ''go far'' or has 'far to go' to the margins of society.
And yet Fargo itself has very little to do with the plot, doesn't it? Why do you think they chose the name of that very city as the title of the movie? It makes sense as described in the video.
7 year old comment, I know... but still.