Oscars: 10 Films That Should Have Won Best Picture (But Didn't)

The Coen Brothers delivered the fakest true story ever with this darn-tooting dark comedy centred around a bunch of polite Minnesotans fumbling their way through insurance fraud and an increasing body count. Fargo’s excellence lies in its relative simplicity – despite hosting a large ensemble cast. Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, and William H. Macy apologised, awkwardly threatened and shuffled their way through its runtime to superb effect.

Steeping itself deep in the snow, the quaint northern towns and their accompanying mild-mannered cultures are just as much the characters of the story – evident through the films atmosphere taken on to the successful television adaptation series decades later – as the characters themselves. Yet despite its roots lying in dark comedy, with some often-wacky moments (the wood-chipper, anyone?), Fargo surprised with its relatable character moments, such as a sleep-withered husband preparing an early breakfast for his wife.

On the year of Fargo’s nomination, however, the Academy found themselves besotted with The English Patient, which took nine of its twelve nominations that year. While The English Patient was well-loved, as time has passed the brilliance of Fargo has far outshone that of The English Patient. Did we prefer Fargo’s individuality and riotous storyline? Oh, you betcha!