Gosh DARN it!! "Fargo" on FX

[Coventina]

So, I've heard buzz about the 10 episode mini-series "Fargo" that starts tonight on FX.

Saw the movie, enjoyed it, but wouldn't watch it again.

I had no interest in watching a mini-series version of the movie.

BUT NOW I find that Martin Freeman is playing the hapless Lester Nygaard, and I LOVE Martin Freeman!!!

He's perfect for the role and such an awesome actor that now I'm roped in to watching it.

I needed another TV commitment like I needed a hole in my head. But if I don't watch it, I'll probably regret it.

Man, is this a first-world problem or what?

[cyberswede]

1. Same here...

I don't see a reason to remake the movie version (and Franes McDormand was so perfect as the Chief), but Martin Freeman being in it is making me watch it!

[Coventina]

2. Fell in love with him when I watched the original "Office"

& grabbed every opportunity to watch him at his craft since.

So, can't let this one go, either.

Stupid quality acting......

[cyberswede]

3. I loved The Office!!

He's so good as the deadpan straight man.

He's perfect in Sherlock, and I thought he was a good Bilbo Baggins, too, He's so likeable - like a regular guy.

[Coventina]

4. Yes. And, his sub-plot is by far my favorite in "Love, Actually."

Exactly as you say, perfect straight man and "everyman".

And, from what I've seen in interviews, a witty and charming person.

Resistance is futile.....

[Aristus]

13. I loved his situation in that movie. A lighting double for porn films.

The ridiculousness of the positions (excuse the pun) he found himself in with his lighting double partner. They were so casual about it, and at the same time, so winningly innocent.

[Coventina]

15. Yeah, they're totally adorable together.

Martin had me at him blowing on his hands to warm them up.

[sharp_stick]

5. It's not a remake

and really has nothing to do with the movie other than the title.

I can't wait to see this thing.

[Coventina]

6. Really? Is it a totally different plot?

In that case, I'm a bit more excited.

[sharp_stick]

9. Yes totally different from the movie

Series premise from Wikipedia:

In 2006, a drifter named Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) arrives in Bemidji, Minnesota and influences the population with his malice and violence, including put-upon insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman).

[cyberswede]

10. It takes place in Bemidji?

One of my favorite towns!

I have family there, and we visit there fairly regularly.

[pokerfan]

12. It's a completely different story

The Coen brothers are executive-producing the show and it’s set to run for 10 episodes.

Freeman recently spoke with Vulture about his decision to take the lead role. “In a vacuum, just hearing about [the show], I might have thought, ‘Well, do we need that?’” he said. “I had the same feeling, by the way, about ‘Sherlock’ [on which he stars as Dr. John Watson]. ‘Really? Do we need that?’ But after the first few pages, that turned into, ‘Yes. We do need it, and I need to be in it.’”

<...>

Freeman said he was satisfied that the TV version of “Fargo” can stand on its own. “I'm not interested in playing an echo of something that was done 20 years ago,” he said. “This is its own thing.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Culture-Cafe/2014/0415/Fargo-TV-show-spins-a-new-story-out-of-the-world-of-the-Oscar-winning-film

And you know who else is in it? Bob Odenkirk AKA Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad!

[Enrique]

19. "20 years ago"

i feel old...

[progressoid]

20. Well, that sounds intriguing.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Fargo is one of my all-time favorite movies.

I'm hesitant to watch the TV series, however, because I worry it will fail to live up to the standards set by the movie. Without the Coens direct involvement, I just can't see it being anywhere nearly as good.

I'd love to be proven wrong--has anyone seen it?

[Coventina]

8. It starts tonight.

[PasadenaTrudy]

11. Saul is in it too!

I mean, Bob Odenkirk who played Saul on Breaking Bad.

[OriginalGeek]

14. Only 10 episodes?

Rats. I was thinking it would be a regular series. But I'll take the ten - I love everyone in it I've heard of and will probably love the folks I haven't and Fargo is easily in my top 10 all time favorite movies. Maybe top 5.

And it just might take the sting out of no more Justified for the rest of the year.

[Jenoch]

16. I'm a big fan of the film.

I'll watch the first few episodes of this ssries to see if it's worth my time, despite the fact that it features Billy Bob Thornton. I find him annoying.

[KamaAina]

17. Fargo. Brought to you by Asplundh Woodchippers!

Asplundh. For when you've just gotta chip.

[Coventina]

18. That deserves a

[Jenoch]

21. I watched the first episode and thought they did a good job in both writing and acting.

To me, the writing is key. We'll see if they can keep the viewers with good writing in future episodes.

I told my 82 year old father he would not like the program. I have two brothers who are police officers and in the movie, a state trooper is murdered within the first 5 minutes of the film. He would not like this program either.

[Initech]

22. Got it on my DVR, can't wait to watch!

[Coventina]

23. Watched the first episode last night. (possible spoilers?)

My husband really enjoyed it, but it's too violent for me to really enjoy.

The plot is very different from the movie, but the writing, atmosphere, filming technique are all very reminiscent of the movie.

I'm going to watch the second episode, just to see if maybe the violence in the first episode is mostly to set the stage, and doesn't continue.

If it does continue at that level, I'll probably have to quit watching.

Martin Freeman as Lester Nygaard is brilliant. I find myself very sympathetic toward him, in spite of what he's done.

That's great acting!

[doxydad]

24. Watched it, loved it...

Can't wait till next week!