FILM & PERFORMANCE  FALL 2004

ANALYSIS PAPER #10   FARGO

this paper is due on Monday, 12/13/04

Please refer to the screenplay of FARGO posted on my homepage to answer any of the following:

1. Cite three separate lines from the script that support the spines for each of the following characters:

MARGE GUNDERSON

JERRY LUNDEGAARD

2. In the opinion of your instructor, the geographic location of this film's story is as much of a real character as the actual human characters written in the script. Do you agree or disagree and why? Use any lines or script details to support your opinion.

2. How does Marge rank as a police investigator against either Sgt. Bill Gillespie or Detective Virgil Tibbs? Support your opinion by drawing upon what you know about each of these characters.

3. Imagine what if Marge Gunderson had reluctantly found herself in Sparta MS and was somehow drawn into a murder investigation led by Sgt. Bill Gillespie.

Compose some meaningful dialogue contained in a brief scene that would introduce Marge and Gillespie on a very hot summer evening in the police station. This is Marge's first visit to town and Gillespie is naturally feeling threatened by a female police officer entering his "domain." Use any details you already know of these characters. Include details of physical movements or gestures, as would be found in any screenplay.

4. Imagine what if Bill Gillespie had reluctantly found himself in Brainerd, MN on a very cold winter day and found himself enmeshed with the on-going police investigation in the FARGO scenario.

Compose some meaningful dialogue contained in a brief scene between Gillespie and Shep Proudfoot. The premise is that Gillespie is to interrogate Proudfoot over the phonecalls and the missing tan Ciera. Shep is being tough, but Gillespie isn't going to back down from Shep's potentially violent impulses and confrontational body language. Use any details you already know of these characters.  Again, include details of physical movements or gestures, as would be found in any screenplay.