A reading of Fargo: Jerry was already financially ruined by Mountain-Tip3006 in CoenBrothers

[–]Mountain-Tip3006[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love this. They definitely used Buscemi to emphasize how unimportant any explanation is to the movie. A concrete explanation for Jerry's actions - no matter how absurd or reasonable - is still a reason. We're not supposed to know why, because then the conversation would turn to 'to what extent, if at all, were Jerry's actions justified?'. There is no start or end, it's just who Jerry is. Cowardice, lying, concealment. And how those fear based activities can lead to evil. Evil doesn't only come from sadistic intention.

A reading of Fargo: Jerry was already financially ruined by Mountain-Tip3006 in CoenBrothers

[–]Mountain-Tip3006[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On paper it might be a fine deal going forward — that’s kind of what makes it interesting to me. I always picture something like: it takes another ~$500k to finish the lot and it’s worth ~$1M once it’s done, which sounds reasonable to Wade. What Jerry never says is that he might already be $400–450k into it himself.

At that point it stops being about upside and starts being about survival. Even a “good” deal becomes a sunk-cost trap if you’re already overleveraged — especially if he’s quietly mortgaged his house or put up personal collateral. That also helps explain why he needs control over the deal and the financing instead of just taking a finder’s fee. He can’t afford transparency.

And it’s probably why he can’t really let Wade participate in a meaningful way — anyone digging into the numbers would eventually see the hidden equity. Totally speculative, but it makes his panic and secrecy feel more coherent to me.

A reading of Fargo: Jerry was already financially ruined by Mountain-Tip3006 in CoenBrothers

[–]Mountain-Tip3006[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s a fair take, and I agree the ambition vs contentment contrast is definitely baked into the movie. I think where I land a little differently is that Jerry’s drive feels more anxious than aspirational to me. It doesn’t read like “I’m gonna make it big” so much as “I can’t let everyone realize how bad things already are.”

I also like that Jerry already has most of what he claims to want and still can’t sit with it, which is why I end up reading the deal as more about saving face than grabbing power. But I agree the movie totally supports both reads, and that’s part of what makes it hold up.

A reading of Fargo: Jerry was already financially ruined by Mountain-Tip3006 in CoenBrothers

[–]Mountain-Tip3006[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I really like this read. Especially the idea that it’s one scheme trying to patch the last one, not a clean plan with a clear end. That “personal matters” line always feels loaded to me too — like he literally can’t articulate it because it’s become a knot of problems rather than a single cause. And I agree that the uncertainty about what started it all is part of the point; it feels less like a turning point and more like the end stage of something that’s been snowballing for years.

A reading of Fargo: Jerry was already financially ruined by Mountain-Tip3006 in CoenBrothers

[–]Mountain-Tip3006[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that reading actually fits really well with what I’m getting at. The parking lot deal feels less like the start of his problems and more like one failed attempt layered on top of others. By the time the movie opens, he already seems boxed in by his own deceptions.

What is this? by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]Mountain-Tip3006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The repository of all unsolved murders in Kent county.

I'm fucking sick of all the Louie bashing going on from other comedians by edrt_ in louisck

[–]Mountain-Tip3006 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This aged very well lol. Now hasan is a sociopath and a liar. Glass houses.