nominated for seven oscars, including best picture, and winner of two (actress and original screenplay), this "darkly amusing" (los angeles times) thriller combines a "first-rate cast" (variety), "a dazzling mix of mirth and malice" (peter travers, rolling stone) and an unusual kidnapping plot that unravels the midwest like never before.
jerry (william h. macy), a small minnesota town car salesman, is bursting at the seams with debt....but he's got a plan. he's gonna … mehrhire two thugs (steve buscemi and peter stormare) to kidnap his wife in a scheme to collect a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. it's gonna be a snap and nobody's gonna get hurt...until people start dying. enter police chief marge gunderson (frances mcdormand), a coffee-drinking, parka-wearing - and extremely pregnant - investigator who'll stop at nothing to get her man. and if you think her small-time investigative skills will give the crooks a run for their ransom...you betcha! weniger