Introduction
In crime cinema, the relationships between criminal pairings can have a big impact on the story and give important clues about the personalities and interactions of the characters. This essay examines and compares the criminal duos shown in the movies Cold Blood and Fargo. It specifically looks at their personalities, interactions, and behaviors following the crimes, as well as their performance as a team. Additionally, it considers the parallels and discrepancies between the pairs, using theories of deviance to evaluate their behavior and compatibility.
Comparison of Criminal Pairs in Cold Blood and Fargo
The analyzed couples are Perry Smith and Dick Hickock from Cold Blood and Carl Showalter and Gaear Grimsrud from Fargo. These criminal duos show significant similarities and variances in their personalities, interactions, and effectiveness as a team. Perry Smith and Dick Hickock have a complex relationship; through preparing for the crime, Perry seeks validation from Dick, while Dick manipulates him. During the crime, however, they rely on each other, and each member knows their role: Dick is behind the planning, while Perry is responsible for the execution. After the crime, the tension becomes the characters’ downfall, which leads to their downfall.
Carl and Gaear do not have a similar power imbalance before and during the crime; their relationship is more partnership-like. Before the crime, they interacted on a friendlier note. During the crime, however, Carl takes on the role of a leader, but the plan fails, which, similar to Perry and Dick, leads to a decline in their relationship and the murder of Gaear by Carl.
The social control theory is one deviant hypothesis explaining these criminal pairings’ behavior. This idea contends that “the weaker the group to which an individual belongs, the less he depends on them, and the more he consequently depends only on himself and recognizes no other rules of conduct than those based on his private interests” (Costello and Laub 24). Both criminal couples exhibit inadequate social ties and restraints, which contribute to their odd behavior.
Conclusion
The criminal duos in Cold Blood and Fargo are excellent examples of the difficulties and effects of deviant relationships. Although they have limited social ties and controls in common, they differ significantly in their personalities, how they get along, and how well they work in pairs. These movies offer a window into the complexity of criminal relationships, highlighting the crucial roles that compatibility, conflicts, and social constraints play in shaping the results of partnerships.
Work Cited
Costello, Barbara J., and Laub, H. John. “Social Control Theory: The Legacy of Travis Hirschi’s Causes of Delinquency.” Annual Review of Criminology, vol. 3, 2020, pp. 21-41.