Fargo / The Big Lebowski Comparison

COMPARISON SCREENING REPORT

Fargo / The Big Lebowski

Lorvingsky Dorielan

11.      Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In class it was discussed that we would do the screening reports differently from before. Instead of the usual, I’m supposed to do a comparative analytical screening report of the last two films that was presented in class. The two movies are “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski”; which were directed, written, and produced by the Coen brothers. For this screening report I’m going to compare the endings of each movie, as the dynamics of both are interesting to me.

22.      Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content. You may use the library or the internet.

The article I decided to use is the handout that was given to us during class. It isn’t about any specific film, but it’s about “reading a film” from an analytical approach with all movies. There are various explanations and examples on how to read a film, but there’s certain aspects that’s intriguing to me that I will convey.

First, something in the text reminded me of a way of watching films that I drifted away from. Lately when I’ve been watching films I focused on the entertainment and what I got out of it solely. Forgetting that films have a range of different meanings that are not always readily apparent (handout, para. 1). These meanings can only be discovered by looking beyond the obvious meaning (handout, para. 1).

Second, “reading a film” relies on the distinction between denotation and connotation. Denotation is the obvious meaning that is generally understood (handout, para. 2). While connotation refers to implied or associated meanings linked to that entity (handout, para. 2). Being so, images are more inclined to connotation then denotation, as most images can rarely be deduced to a single concrete meaning. An example of this is the three images of figures that were shown in class. Each of them had a common denotative response from the class. But all the images had a connotative reaction as well. With this in mind, at its core movies are a vast amount of images. Hence, it’s likely and maybe always that all films are connotative.

Finally, what was thought provoking to me was the emotional charge of a film and the invisible connotations. The emotional charge of a film is ironically highly noticeable at a connotative level (handout, para. 4). In other words, generally most understand; that aspects of a movie can cause varying emotional responses from each individual. This is because the complexity and combination of: images, music, dialogue, characters, and many more (handout, para. 4). Also “the complex set of ideas, beliefs, and associations that are represented in it but that are never openly stated,” attribute to this connotation (handout, para. 4). Films bring out feelings that communicate much more than their obvious meaning (handout, para. 4). These feelings that emerge can at times be invisible as they affect us when we are not fully aware of them (handout, para. 8). The invisible connotations enter our minds at a subconscious level, and “reading a film” helps us become critically aware of them (handout, para. 4).

Cite the article or copy the url to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.

FRIDAY’S HANDOUT – “READING A FILM”

33.      Apply the article to the film screened in class. How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

The article changed the way I thought about the ending of both films. To start off after watching the ending scenes of both films again, I see a representation of a firm understanding of self-identity with each main character. Marge and The Dude are who they are, to the point that nothing interferes with who they are. Both of them don’t try to understand anyone else, they just know themselves completely. Furthermore in both ending scenes, the characters they have the most dialogue with seemingly sees that “glow” within them.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI SCENE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbKkNUyE64

In The Big Lebowski I noticed the background music playing during the scene, and decided to research it. The song is called “Dead Flowers” and is performed by Townes van Zandt. From my understanding the song is about painful memories of girl; that a man has which causes him to use drugs to subdue the grief. He feels shame from the two places in life they are in after parting ways. She is living life with her rich associates, and he is using drugs trying to ease the pain of his thoughts of her. In the lyrics he sings that he could never be alone, signifying he is dependent on her for his happiness. So now he is accompanied by Susie-which is slang for heroin-to take the pain away. In the chorus the man asks for dead flowers at various times. In the morning, checking his mail, and finally at his wedding. After this “and I won't forget to put roses on your grave” is sung.  In my perspective this is a metaphor for his hurtful memories and letting go. Dead flowers is a metaphor for once blooming parts of his past that are now dead memories. These dead flowers come to him at any time in his life. Finally, at his wedding he is able to take these dead flowers and place them as roses on her grave. Showing that he now is able to let go of his past and move on from it. It’s interesting to me that a song like this is in the background. This is because The Dude acts the exact opposite of the man portrayed in the song. When the bartender ask about Donnie; his once close friend, he doesn’t even finish answering. It isn’t even in a disrespectful or nonchalant way; he just doesn’t answer, and almost simultaneously he greets The Stranger joyously. The cowboy stranger asks him about life and he casually says strikes and gutters. Symbolizing to me the ups and downs of life, as he recently went through a lot in the eyes of most. But The Dude abides to the “take it easy, I know you will” idea The Stranger has of him. Furthermore, The Stranger says he takes comfort that The Dude is taking it easy for all us sinners. This highlights the “glow” I mentioned above. The Stranger sees how The Dude knows life for him. With all this in mind, I come to the conclusion that the song is supposed to enhance the motto of The Dude. As the only happiness he has is dependent on him, opposite of many others. I believe I reached this outlook because my now understanding of the emotional charges in a film. The vibe that I now get from the ending is based on the understanding of the complexity between the: music, characters, and the dialogue between them.

FARGO SCENE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoYpJIUWhY

In Fargo, I now noticed the contrast of Marge and Peter. Throughout the film, Marge seems as a happy go lucky type of woman. Even though with her profession and circumstances in the movie, she almost always remains that way. On the other hand, in the entire film it looks like everything around Peter gets to him. He always looks at the person who is interacting with him, with a cold blank stare right in their eyes. To the point that I get the feeling he hates people just in general. Marge goes about her life knowing what she wants. While Peter in almost every scene gives off the energy that he is doing whatever; and he doesn’t know why.

In the first shot of the scene above, Peter and Marge are looking directly in each other’s eyes through the mirror. She begins to deduce what he did looking directly in front of her, and in the second shot he is now looking away. In the third shot Marge says “and for what a little bit of money.” Then the camera pans to Peter, and for the first time he doesn’t have a hard angry face. The structure of his face looks like someone in sorrow. Not just for himself or others, but the realization of what occurred as a whole. Next Marge says “there is more to life than money you know.” Afterwards Peter looks out the window, as if he doesn’t know what to do in this new found state he’s in. In the fourth shot she says “and here you are and it’s a beautiful day.” Also for the first time he’s looking down not away, but down from the person speaking to him. Then he catches himself and stares at her with his eyes looking sideways, not directly. Marge sees this says well, and then says “I just don’t understand it.” As Peter continues to look at her in the same way, but with look that sees that same “glow” within Marge. Possibly thinking maybe it’s him and not the world. I think I see this scene this way because of the invisible connotations. I associated my ideas of the characters with their representation in the movie, which was never openly stated in it. I feel this was in my subconscious beforehand. However after “reading the ending” I was able to become critically aware of it.

In both films with each main character knowing life for them, the characters they interacted with in their respective scenes, see that light within them. The Stranger and Peter express this differently, but I believe it’s both there. With The Dude and Marge never saying it as they are just living.

44.      Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article. I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

Before watching Fargo, I assumed it was just another crime drama film. With an intriguing plot twist that gives it its critical acclaim. Either way I always wanted to see the film, so I was glad when it was announced in class. To my surprise it wasn’t what I assumed at all. There weren’t any unexpected twist to me and it was easy to follow. However, I was glad about my surprise because as a dark comedy it was hilarious to me. Just the awkward pauses and dialogue had me in tears. The way the characters spoke and interacted was something I never seen in anything. But at the same time there were scenes that gave a somewhat poignant feeling. With the originality of the characters, dialogue, quirkiness, style of humor, and violence I understand its place in film history. The contributions of the directors of this film are continuous. With its influence on other movies, and transcendence to television series based on the film.