Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
William H. Macy | ... | Jerry Lundegaard | |
Steve Buscemi | ... | Carl Showalter | |
Peter Stormare | ... | Gaear Grimsrud | |
Kristin Rudrüd | ... | Jean Lundegaard | |
Harve Presnell | ... | Wade Gustafson | |
Tony Denman | ... | Scotty Lundegaard | |
Gary Houston | ... | Irate Customer | |
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Sally Wingert | ... | Irate Customer's Wife |
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Kurt Schweickhardt | ... | Car Salesman |
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Larissa Kokernot | ... | Hooker #1 |
Melissa Peterman | ... | Hooker #2 | |
Steve Reevis | ... | Shep Proudfoot (as Steven Reevis) | |
Warren Keith | ... | Reilly Diefenbach (voice) | |
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Steve Edelman | ... | Morning Show Host |
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Sharon Anderson | ... | Morning Show Hostess |
Jerry works in his father-in-law's car dealership and has gotten himself in financial problems. He tries various schemes to come up with money needed for a reason that is never really explained. It has to be assumed that his huge embezzlement of money from the dealership is about to be discovered by father-in-law. When all else falls through, plans he set in motion earlier for two men to kidnap his wife for ransom to be paid by her wealthy father (who doesn't seem to have the time of day for son-in-law). From the moment of the kidnapping, things go wrong and what was supposed to be a non-violent affair turns bloody with more blood added by the minute. Jerry is upset at the bloodshed, which turns loose a pregnant sheriff from Brainerd, MN who is tenacious in attempting to solve the three murders in her jurisdiction. Written by Anonymous
With no major stars or well-known names, the actors outshine many more familiar personages. The story is well thought out. The criminals don't try to ingratiate themselves with the audience which adds to its reality. The acting is most convincing and the writing is excellent. Even the cold of a North Dakota winter comes across. Every film course should make use of this movie to demonstrate how to make a very good film without relying on a bottomless budget.