first came communists speak up communist came jews speak up jew came catholics speak up protestant came me time one left speak mebr br attributed rev martin niemoller br br when faced intolerance injustice easiest thing nothing  speak risk becoming object scorn enough become much global antisemitic sentiments allowed hitlers genocidal policies thrive equal doses fearmongering ignorance made possible anticommunist purges mccarthyism destroy thousands peoples lives inaction makes one less culpablebr br lawrence newman chameleon man quiet nondescript blends seamlessly surroundings lawrence like get involved  witnesses attack young woman tells one goes business world spirals chaos buys pair glasses mistaken one them lawrences view world view forever altered br br while subject matter film new presentation definitely unique much easier understand irrational nature prejudice placed within certain context  lawrence concerned assumptions jewish views attackers believes corrects oversight everything right realizing logic prejudice never go hand hand br br whether playing schemer the thing liked fargo home nice guy sheriff william h macys roles linked common thread his characters share subtle deliberate countenance gives substance macy nails lawrence smallest detail says furtive glance tremble voice page dialogue showing rather telling lawrence able share fear bewilderment viewer supporting cast brings story togetherbr br laura dern compelling gerty lawrences bombshell wife past trailer park rough yet worldly wise also felt wrath prejudice result a mistake unwittingly exacerbates lawrences situation michael lee aday aka meatloaf frightening fred prototypical redneck next door equal parts ignorance venom rallying neighbours virulent cause midst chaos finklestein david paymer focus aggression voice reason raises important questions paymers even handed portrayal keeps finklestein becoming stereotype someone whose sole purpose engender sympathy making one strongest performances filmbr br the tight editing closecropped cinematography make clean picture distractions mixes air claustrophobia small town usa feel  simultaneously comforting disturbing deliberate use harsh twotone lighting accentuate malevolent aspects piece carefully scored soundtrack powerful without overwhelming finally set costume designs recreate feel era essential component films messagebr br focus unconventional approach dealing prejudice reason enough recommend film consider excellent story solid acting look film added bonuses