Discussing the process of adaption
This is a true story. The events depicted in this article took place in Guelph in 2015. At the request of the editors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the readers, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.
In 1996, the Coen Brothers unleashed upon the public the story of Fargo. A tale of murder, mystery, and comedy, Fargo creates an entire world of simplistic, unassuming, and loveable characters. From everything from the quirky Minnesotan accents, to small-town coffee shops, the Coen brothers provided a refreshing and traditional unique take on the dark-comedy narrative.
After becoming a classic among movie-goers, the unique storytelling of the Coen Brothers set in the quaint and charming landscape of Minnesota, the brilliant 1996 tale has clearly stood the test of time. In 2014, FX released a modern “revival” of Fargo – continuing in the tradition of the classic film.
Produced by FX, show creator Noah Hawley has provided a refreshing look at the Fargo universe – essentially projecting all of the magical atmospheric qualities of the movie into a new narrative. Just having finished its first season in 2014, the Fargo mini-series boasts 10 episodes of a tale which utilizes moral ambiguity, enthralling visuals, and large thematic character arcs to provide viewers with a fulfilling and satisfying experience.
Those who have seen both the movie and the show can attest – while there are uncanny similarities between the two, the overall narrative and the experience of the viewer is entirely different.
The brilliance of Noah Hawley is undeniable. He has taken a beloved movie, and has interwoven key elements of its world, turning it into a unique narrative of his own. When describing his ability to adapt and transfer concepts from the film to the show, Hawley even further distances his work from the Coen Brother’s original.
“I always had this image in my head of some old, leather-bound book with hand-drawn illustrations that was published in the 50s,” he said. “It’s like The History of True Crime in the Midwest. The movie was a chapter from it, and our first year was a chapter from it.”
While I have strongly resisted the urge to spoil the show for any readers, it is definitely a series worth exploring. The show is filled with action, dark comedy, witty dialogue, stunning cinematography, and of course, Minnesotan accents.
The new season is preparing to air on FX in fall of 2015. Oh jeez.