Fargo is far more
gruesome than Affliction, but one
leaves you with a smile even as a body goes through the wood chipper. The theme here is winter, one last look at
snow as irises bloom in our gardens and the barbeques dot the green lawns of
suburbia.
 |
| Nolte, Coburn and Dafoe |
What we have for your frosty double bill today are two
Academy Award winning films — Affliction
and Fargo. Part of the interest, I think, in seeing
these two in tandem is looking at both sides of the mask — tragedy and comedy —
as they are presented in stories of similar tones, in relatively similar
settings, and with highly talented actors, directors and writers. The interest for me is, given the darkness
they reveal about human nature, how the two are actually very different?
Affliction, based
on the novel by Russell Banks, is
actually less gruesome, but far darker.
Not better, but more “serious.” Nick Nolte and James Coburn give extraordinary performances as a troubled failure
as a son and a cold, brutal father, respectively. Willem Dafoe gives a masterful understated interpretation as
Coburn’s other son. Both sons, even as adults, were cowed by their abusive
alcoholic father. Dafoe’s character escapes, physically at least. Nolte’s character doesn’t. He remains pretty much badgered by the father
and also, as the part-time cop in a small town in New Hampshire, by the town
manager. Paul Schrader wrote and
directed this powerful and relentlessly fascinating drama. The movie is about a
deal gone wrong, a murder, integrity friendship and power. But the central focus is becoming whole. And
what the cost of that might be. Sissy Spacek, as Nolte’s loyal
girlfriend, is excellent.
Speaking of a deal gone wrong and a murder, well several of
them, let’s end the evening on a lighter note — sort of.
At least we will laugh. A lot. Of
all the Joel and Ethan Coen’s great
films, this might be at the top of the list.
Where Nolte and Coburn propel the story in Affliction, Frances
McDormand and William Macy are
the essence of this one. Steve Buscemi gives us still another
well-drawn, well-acted character.
Macy’s character wants to rid himself of his wife. He hires two goofballs to carry out the
plan. McDormand, from all appearances,
including being seven months pregnant, isn’t exactly fear inspiring and, at
first, one might not believe she has the savvy to ferret out the culprits as
incompetent as they are. But first
impressions are deceiving. Much like Affliction, we’re not in urban America.
No subways, traffic jams and high-rises. Instead, we get cafeterias, used car
lots, tacky motels, long lonely snow-laden highways, lots of blood and glimpses
of our police chief with her stay-at-home poet of a husband.
Fargo won a ton of
awards, including multiple awards for McDormand and the Coen Brothers. Affliction
was recognized as well. Coburn picked up
an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Nolte was nominated for best actor awards, including the Academy Award
and Golden Globe for Best Actor.
The drink of the night?
Brandy, preferably brought to you by a big St. Bernard.
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