GENRE AND FARGO

"Noun: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter."


Richard Maltby said in 1995, "Genres are flexible, subject to the constant process of change and adaptation. Because different audiences will use a genre in different ways at different times, its boundaries can never be rigidly defined, and at the same time it is susceptible to extensive subdivision."


I believe that this theory is fully supported by the Coen Brothers' film 'Fargo' because it seems to push the boundaries as a film in the Thriller genre; this can be said because it does not follow the typical conventions of a Thriller film. 
If this genre is to be strictly defined, a Thriller should "provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax." 
http://www.filmsite.org/thrillerfilms.html
In most scenarios, tension and suspense are built up by the main protagonist being put in an out-of-the-ordinary situation which requires them to fight for their character's or another's life/safety. This character's bravery is usually a very different aspect to their personal traits, this is very quickly established in the opening of Zack Znyder's 2004 film 'Dawn of the Dead'.


Going back to the film 'Fargo', it challenges the initial perception of a Thriller film because it takes on a comedy aspect, in a black humour kind of manner which can be associated with this genre however the humour is neither witty or outstanding. Dark colours are also associated with the genre however, the film is set in Minneapolis in winter, 1987 which means that the whole film is set in a snowy and stranded location. 
The bright white scenes contrast very strongly to the typical connotations of a thriller film and unsettle the audience into building a sense of security and then tearing down this safety net and portraying the idea that white is now a mysterious and overwhelming colour. It also has a great impact that it contrasts highly to the colour of blood so for example, when Gaear Grimsrud is feeding fellow accomplice, Carl Showalter, into the wood chipper, the blood stands out in a very eery manner against the bright white snow.
The two main protagonists, Jerry Lundergaard and local police chief Marge Gunderson are not typical thriller characters because Jerry is a nervous car salesman who tries to manipulate his father-in-law into giving him money through his outrageous plan and Marge is a heavily pregnant police chief who is the 'hero' of the film.
Overall, I believe that 'Fargo' does not fit the Thriller genre alone because of the many conventions that it does not follow and the general tone of the film is not of that which would make the audience feel on edge.