If a genie gave you three wishes what would they be ? for most, the idea of ‘having more money’ or ‘unlimited wishes’ sounds great, but these thoughts are too often driven by the idea of greed; wanting more than you really need. Greed and money come hand in hand, where this selfish desire for money and power take the reins over what is morally right. The movie “Fargo”, directed by the Coen Brothers utilises key film techniques and displays many characters that present the idea of greed throughout the film. Specific characters shown in a low angle, Carl’s dialogue, and Jerry Lundeguaard only seen in one shots are all film techniques that the Coen brothers have intelligently used to portray the concept of greed and the powerful forces behind it.
S– The Coen Brothers utilise the idea of low angles as a powerful film technique to display the characters that are seen as more dominant and greedy. E– To become more dominant and powerful it is often assumed that money is the answer to all of these problems. Carl, Gaear, and Jerry are all driven by the thought of money, where their greed and desire has blurred out any morals they may have previously had, and is compelling them towards one end goal. throughout the movie, these characters are seen in numerous low angles which gives the audience the impression that they have dominance and power in the situation. It is clear to see that all of these characters believe that with more money comes more superiority and so from them being seen in a low angle, it shows what they desire to have. It is an illusion, a mask to the real world as they do not have as much dominance as they desire, but merely believe they do. When you focus on something so much, it becomes a false reality and the truth behind it becomes forgotten as the need and want for something takes over, where just that ‘one thing’ is in perspective. Your perspective refers to your outlook and view on something and for these characters wanting more money than they need is what they see as right. These characters become so wound up in the fantasy of ‘becoming rich’ and executing their plan that they already believe they have succeeded and are already more powerful. X- Carl is often depicted as a authoritative character and this is skilfully shown in the scene where he obtains the one million dollars, killing Wade in his path. Just after he shoots Wade in the stomach there is a low angle on Carl showing his immediate dominance in the scene. Carl believes he has already succeeded, has gained total power, because he has gotten rid of the obstacle in his path and acquired the money. His dominance in the scene has come from shooting a character of high status and wealth where as Wade dies and loses all power, Carl supposedly wins and gains all power and money. This overwhelming greed he has, has driven him to shoot an innocent man as money is the only thing he is focused on, driving him to do inhumane things. Y- Everyone is greedy for something, whether it be food, money or power. Money is only desired for material goods and what we can get for it but it is often said that “the love of money is the root of evil”. This money desired is due to greed, and the power it has obscures a persons outlook on something and drives them to believe things that may not be true or morally right at all. Gold, diamonds and jewels are all desirable material possessions and for Jafar in the popular Disney movie ‘Aladdin’ he will not stop until he is the most powerful authority in the world. In this case the idea of obtaining the lamp and getting all power is what is driving him into complete insanity. The idea of power driven by greed is reinforced by showing Afar in a low angle as he is becoming the most powerful being in the universe- the genie. The emotion of greed is a feeling that everyone experiences in one way or another but what differentiates people is the lengths they go to to get what they desire.
S- The use of dialogue is a crucial element in the movie as it conveys Carls character development and his greed for money. E- Dialogue is a key element of film as it explains plot and allows characters to express what they are thinking, as well as displaying their personalities. Carl is a key character throughout the movie and his opinion and thoughts are constantly voiced by what he says. He talks a big game and makes some pretty big calls that are solely made because of his compelling desire for money, driven by greed. Every mistake, action and move he makes is under the influence of greed, being too obsessed over the idea of wealth to be aware of what he is doing and saying. Irritable, incompetent and temperamental are all words used to describe the small time criminal Carl, where he’s an accident waiting to happen, a ticking time bomb. His easily aggravated personality makes him vulnerable in the movie as he exposes his plan along the way as well as expressing his opinions using a lot of foul language and angry tones. The way something is said also shows a lot about a character as the type of language used displays parts of characters personalities. Half of what comes out of Carl’s mouth is either a swear word or rude phrase and this dialogue shows his negativity due to greed. Carl becomes so captivated by the thought of becoming rich that it drives him to do and say things he would normally never even think of. X- After returning back to the cabin in the woods Carl gets in the fight with Gaear over the money and car, both things they both want. “Hold on! No fuckin’ way! You fuckin’ notice this? I got fuckin’ shot! I got fuckin’ shot in the face! I went and got the fuckin’ money. I got shot fuckin’ picking it up! I’ve been up for 36 fuckin’ hours! I’m taking that fuckin’ car! That fucker’s mine, you fuckin’ asshole! As always Gaear has no response, but Carl rambles on repeating himself over and over trying to get his point across about the lengths and efforts he went through just to get the money. He paid a high price to get the prize he desired and even with the one million dollars he was not satisfied, he craved more. The repetitive use of the words “Fuckin” show that Carl is extremely angry and this greed he has, has obscured his rational thinking, causing him to be fuelled by outrage. Y- We can tell a lot about a person by what they say. Dialogue and face to face interaction is crucial in everyones life, as the emotions you portray dictate a large part of if someone wants to be friends with you. It is a lot easier to be friends with someone who has a positive outlook on life rather than someone who has a negative outlook. Greed is often related to negative emotional states such as anger, anxiety and despair as it drives you to a point where only that one desire in in focus. Anger, anxiety and despair are all negative emotional feelings that are all related to mental illnesses. In our world today it is said that every one in four people in the world will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their lives. The Happiness of a persons life is a lot more important than their wealth and status, because why be super rich when you are not happy living the life you live? It is often perceived that with money comes happiness but this need for money fuelled by greed is what causes depression and puts you in the vicious cycle of anxiety and restlessness. These feelings are often experienced when we long for some possession and believe in the false reassurance that upon gaining it we will be put at ease and satisfied. The key to happiness in life should not be determined by how much money you have but by the quality of your living; its quality not quantity.
S-Throughout the movie, the repetitive use of Jerry only being shown in a one shot shows how his compelling desire and greed have driven him into isolation. E- A one shot shows only one person in a frame giving the impression that they are all alone and solitary. Through Jerry’s ambition and desire for money he has pushed out all of the important things in his life and is left drowning in his problems, alone. He has allowed the idea of material possessions and greed to cloud his judgement where it is no longer about his family but all about getting the money he craves. Jerry is a prime example of someone who is always wanting more than he needs, constantly urged by greed. Throughout the movie Jerry is only ever seen in a shot by himself, never with his wife and never with his son. They are a family, they are meant to be seen as a cohort but instead he is engulfed by the idea of money driven by greed, and would put his family in danger in order to get what he desires. In this case greed has totally taken over his life and everything is blurred out, apart from the idea of money. Every one shot he is seen in portrays how greed has caused him to lose track of what is important in life, leaving him empty and alone. X- Jerry is constantly seen in a whole scene or shot by himself. An example of this is the scene where Jerry is in his office and is shown in a one shot mid shot talking on the phone to the auditors about the cars. From looking at the shot in this scene, it shows Jerry alone, drowning in his ever growing pile of problems. The shot is taken from outside his office behind the blinds and gives the impression that he is in a prison cell, where his greed has driven him to the point where he has gone past the law and is soon to pay the price. This particular one shot shows the point in the movie at which he has realised his crimes are soon to be exposed. At this point he is well and truely alone and is left with nothing as everything he loves he has driven away. Y- Greed is a powerful feeling that blinds someone until it is too late. The consequences of not stopping while you can, leaves you with nothing, where you have been stripped of the joys in your life. Two of the most important things in life are friends and family as these are what gives you experiences and moments to cherish forever. Family and friends are a crucial element to everyone’s life as those connections with loved ones give you joy and laughter, something that you can not buy. Marge and Norm are the family in the movie that Jerrys family could have been. Both of them are almost never seen in a one shot because they are seen as a family, always sharing moments and love. Shots in movies show a lot about the relationships between groups of people, and for Jerry he threw it all away, all for a bit of money. Money is only desired because it is something that is made out to sound as though it will give you a better life. The reality is that these people in your life are essential because without them who would you call when you need advice? a shoulder to lean on? an ear to listen? These relationships are crucial and improve the quality of life as everyone needs someone to talk to and support them through thick and thin.
“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction”. The theme of greed is constantly highlighted throughout the movie through the use of specific characters shown in a low angle, Carl’s dialogue, and Jerry Lundeguaard only seen in one shots. These key film techniques all help to portray the idea of greed and the deceptive appearance behind it. The Coen Brothers have strategically used these three film techniques throughout the movie Fargo, to intelligently portray the theme of greed to the audience.
Statement of intent- I am writing as essay about how film techniques portray a theme in a text. In this case the movie I am basing my essay off is Fargo and I am using three different film techniques to depict the theme of greed throughout the movie. These three film techniques are specific characters shown in a low angle, Carl’s dialogue, and Jerry Lundeguaard only shown in one shots, which all help to develop the idea of greed. Film techniques and characters are very crucial parts of the movie that the Coen Brothers have intelligently used to convey the key themes to the audience.