MovieChat Forums > Fargo (1996) Discussion > Why did Jerry and Carl drive all the way...

Why did Jerry and Carl drive all the way to Fargo from Minn?


I find it odd how Carl, who is also from the Twin Cities, agrees to drive to Fargo to meet Jerry.
Why didn't they meet in Minneapolis, Brainerd or any other places in between?
Looking it up on Google Maps, it's a 9 hour round trip.
Seems like a long drive just for a 10-20 minute meeting.

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My theory is that it's all about the sound and meaning of the title. Think about Far-go. Jerry goes pretty "far" to have his wife kidnapped. A title of "Minneapolis" would be a box office killer. Also Brainerd would provoke jokes about the brainless people in the movie. Plus Jerry would want to make arrangements with the kidnappers far away from his home base, where he might be spotted by someone he knows. What's the phrase: don't sh** where you eat.

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There are plenty of small towns between 'apolis and Fargo they could have met where Jer would not have been spotted by anyone he knows.

Maybe your right with your theory as to the movie title.
Of course they could have come up with a different one had they met somewhere else.

Humans are not the only species on earth.
We just act like it.

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What makes you think Carl (or Gaer, for that matter) was from the Twin Cities? Far as I recall, it's never mentioned where they're from. Carl certainly doesn't sound or behave like he's from the area and, furthermore, when he's trying to make small talk when they're driving there to perform the kidnapping and mentions something about some skyscraper there, he sounds quite unsure of himself as someone personally unfamiliar with the place would be.



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Because the Indian guy, Proudfoot, attacks Carl in his apt.

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Mexico is going to pay for the wall.
I can stop federal funds.

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They were not from Minneapolis,at least Geaer wasn't because Carl was pointing out landmarks as they were entering the Minneapolis area.

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I don't think the movie ever hints at why they met at Fargo. The movie doesn't tell us a lot of things, like why Jerry needs money, but it does offer some clues. Not in this case, unless I missed it.

Maybe Grunsweld insisted on it for some reason. He's a stubborn guy. Fargo is right on the border with Minnesota. Maybe Carl or Grunsweld were on parole and couldn't leave ND, so they weren't going to leave the state and break parole until they were sure the deal was done.

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