Okay, we just pulled into our Kansas City motel. Before our trip moves forward, however, I have to speak a bit about our time in Minnesota, in relation to one of my favorite movies.
One of the best movies I show/teach in my film class is the Coen Brothers’ Fargo. I use it in my film class at school for cinematography and character development.
Well, the film takes place mainly in Brainerd, MN, about two and a half hours north of where we stayed. If you’ve seen the film, you know that folks from this part of the country are known for their friendliness and their unique speech. (Much like Pete M. is still recognized as a Rhode Islander from his unique speech.)
Okay. First: Yes, they really do speak that way.
Second: Give William H. Macy credit for his performance in the film. He is spot-on Minnesotan. At the Twins game, the guy sitting next to me (the one whose little boy decided I was his friend) was Macy’s character Jerry Lundegaard. His voice, his movements, his inability to do simple things like take his kid for ice cream without coming back to his seat two times to pick up forgotten items… Straight out of Fargo.
Third: The desk clerk at our motel (outside Minneapolis, near Eden Prairie) was a younger version of the Fargo character Mike Yanagita.
Other than a lack of eyeglasses, he could have been Mike, Jr. He looked and sounded just like the actor (Steve Park) and was even a bit pathetic. He depressingly told me how he has never been able to come to the east coast to see a light house in person. It’s one of his dreams.
So…
I guess I’m even more impressed with the Coens after experiencing this neck of the woods for myself.
…and I really wish I had the DVD with me.
**edit for geographical accuracy –R
Since you’re off the topic of baseball, who here in blog-land has been wondering aboot, I mean about the coincidences with the Denningham’s trip and the celebrity death numbers that have been ratcheting skyward? I think the hot dog page may need a celebrity death prediction page accompaniment. Patrick Swayze, Kirk Douglas, Liz Taylor, and Jack Klugman better watch out if the Denninghams role into town with their car-o-bobble heads and dirty hot dog hands. Please spare Quincy; I’m still hoping for a role reprisal on any of the CSIs.
After reading this post last night, I happened to talk to my friend Curt, in the Twin Cities area. Hearing him say “Yeah” almost made me crack up a few times. Another source of weird Minnesotanism is Little House on the Prairie, especially when they have some particularly stereotypic Scandanavian person on there. I can give you my take on Little House and Minnesota in person, because I don’t want to offend anyone with my commentary.
Eden Prairie!! I have lots of friends out in the EP!! Or at least they come from EP. (Also, you wrote “outside Minnesota”, where you mean “outside Minneapolis”.)
I loved your description of Jerry/the guy sitting next to you. You find so many of these guys out there, and it is infuriating/hilarious.
Rich - I have a sister-in-law from Minn. and I know just what you are talking about. You made me laugh out loud - I have been out of the office for a few days and I’m just catching up on your trip as I have a short break. I just know you are having a wonderful time. Keep safe.