This cult classic was nominated for seven Oscars, winning two.

The story is told in two parts. The first is about a car salesman who seems to have a compulsion to win, at any cost, no matter how large or small the stakes. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is terrific in this part, capturing his contrasting moods of an emotionless exploiter and a manic paranoid. The second part centers on a mild-mannered police detective named Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) with an aw-shucks brand of personality that hides an analytical mind.

The film is certainly quirky. Like Tarantino meets Monk. Accordingly, there is a thread of humor, but this is a black comedy of errors, and it is definitely not for everyone. But it is filmed well and the acting is genre-appropriate, making it very watchable.