Norm Gunderson, awaking. Heavy Minnesota accent: “Heey, Hon. Prowler needs a jump.”
Marge: “Get that thing out of my face.”
Carl: “I got shot in the fuckin’ face!”
Gaear: “It’s an improvement.”
Marge: “I think yer gonna lose the deposit on the wood chipper, eh?”
Funny, I just re-watched Fargo for the nth time on Friday. One thing I’ve never figured out: what is the point of the scene where Marge meets an old school friend for lunch? Does the scene have a point? It’s fun to watch, is that the only reason it’s in the movie? Is there something about her school friend that affects her thinking about the murder case?
Yes absolutely, that provides the catalyst for Marge’s “what evil lurks in the hearts of men” moment when she talks to her friend about it and learns that the seemingly sympathetic guy was completely bullshitting her with lies. It motivates her to look deeper at her case.
For some who-knows reason, whenever I think of Fargo, that’s always the first scene that comes to mind.
I think it also serves as another thing she is reflecting on with the “you know Norm, we have it pretty good” (from imperfect memory) comment near the end. She’s surrounded by examples of too-clever-by-half people whose deceitful and drama-prone nature cause them to self destruct. She and Norm live honest and supportive lives, and are rewarded for it with a sense of contentment and stability in a chaotic world.
Thanks to both of you, for the explanation. I was thinking it might be something like that, but I often need a scene to hit me over the head, to be understood. It goes with how I feel about Marge, as a detective. She’s sharp, but maybe deals with a nicer class of criminals in Brainerd, which makes her a little naive for this case, initially.
It’s there to demonstrate (both to the audience and to Marge herself) that Marge is naïve and overly trusting of people. Once Marge realizes this, it motivates her to cast her suspicions on Jerry.