A car salesman (William H. Macy) who is desperate for cash plots to have his wife kidnapped and his wealthy father-in-law pay the ransom. His plan backfires when the kidnappers kill a state trooper and two innocent bystanders. With the local police chief (Frances McDormand) on the case, finances become the least of this salesman’s problems in this wickedly hilarious black comedy.

69TH Academy Award® winner OF TWO

"A terrific twisted comedy! I was helpless with laughter."

- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

"Two thumbs up!’

- SISKEL & EBERT

"There won’t be a better film than this. A fantastic, original piece of work."

- Gene Siskel, SISKEL & EBERT

"A dazzling mix of mirth and malice. A terrific twisted comedy."

- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

"An American masterpiece. This movie has one treasure after another."

- Roger Ebert, SISKEL & EBERT

"A brilliant crime saga."

- Bruce Williamson, PLAYBOY

"A hilarious thriller! Frances McDormand is perfect as the world’s unlikeliest detective."

- Lisa Henricksson, GQ

"Brilliant! Fiendishly funny. Keeps pulling the rug from under you. You’re laughing and catching your breath at every turn."

- Dennis Dermody, PAPER

"A brilliant macabre thriller! Coen fans have reason to rejoice!"

- Guy Flatley, COSMOPOLITAN

- Larry Worth, THE NEW YORK POST

- James Verniere, THE BOSTON HERALD

- Gene Siskel, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

- Peter Stack, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

- Stephen Hunter, THE BALTIMORE SUN

- Terry Lawson, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

A homespun murder story by Joel and Ethan Coen