Life Lessons from “Fargo” 20 Years Later

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One of my all-time favorite movies, Fargo, turns 20 this month. The Coen Brothers created a quirky, bloody mix of “Minnesota nice,” desperation and a wood-chipper. It’s an absolutely weird slice of America – and endlessly watchable. (It also spawned a hit TV series). I have family in Minnesota, and yes, to varying degrees they do talk like that (“yah, sure”). I have it on good authority that most Minnesotans kind of hate Fargo (even though Joel and Ethan Coen grew up in St. Louis Park, MN); at one screening, a lot of the audience angrily walked out afterward. Well, as “angrily” as they were capable of being.

But Fargo can teach those of us in the remaining 49 states a thing or two. Thus, I offer a few Life Lessons:

Pancakes are good for more than one meal a day.

Pay attention to details. “Funny looking” is not a description.

Don’t get snippy.

Opt for street parking.

The “little stamps” are important.

Get your priorities straight.

Cindy Grogan

PS. Which of today’s movies could become tomorrow’s classics? Check out our post Sundance’s Magnificent 7 for the best offerings from this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Plus, when you sign up for our weekly email update, you’ll also get the inspiring documentary The 5 Keys to Mastery — FREE. Learn the traits that help people achieve their dreams: from superstar musicians like Carlos Santana and BB King, to Olympic gold medalists, a Nobel laureate, entrepreneurs, actors, teachers and more.

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Cindy Grogan

Cindy Grogan

Cindy Grogan is a longtime freelance writer, having worked in a ton of different industries, writing a ton of different things. Her background in radio is a natural fit for her love of music – anything from the Beatles to Hank Williams, Sr. to Prokofiev. A rabid consumer of pop culture and politics, Cindy finds the smartass tendencies that once got her grounded now serve her well in Facebook arguments. Oh, and she also loves cats.

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