Stan Grossman (character)

Stan Grossman [http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0028089/] is a small but pivotal fictional character who has appeared in two Oscar-winning films, "Fargo" (1996) and "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006). Though played by different actors and not officially connected by story, the character of Stan Grossman is thematically connected to both films.

History of the character

In each movie, Grossman is the go-to guy and a beacon of opportunism. In "Fargo," Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) devises an improbable scheme to kidnap his wife and pay the kidnappers the ransom by both bribing AND constructing a sound business deal with his wealthy father-in-law, Wade Gustafson (Harve Presnell).

Wade's right-hand man is Stan Grossman, here played by Larry Brandenburg. Grossman appears to be more than simply an assistant, but more of an accountant and business partner, the guy who orchestrates the transactions behind the scenes while Wade acts as the mouthpiece of the operation. Wade is almost never seen without Grossman at his side (one early scene in the film, with Wade at dinner, is one of few exceptions).

"We're not a bank, Jerry!" Grossman says after Lundegaard tries to get a $750,000 loan on a parking lot deal. Realizing the strong business potential of the deal, Gustafson and Grossman move forward without Lundegaard's involvement.

When Gustafson finds out his wife has been kidnapped, he treats the personal matter as a business transaction, with Grossman at his side. Sensing the opportunism, Grossman agrees with Lundegaard's proposal to deal with the kidnapping: stay away from the police and give into the demands of the kidnappers.

In "Little Miss Sunshine," the character is played by Bryan Cranston as slicker and hipper and seemingly more broadly connected to the business world. In "Fargo," Grossman was from Minnesota and even Jerry fit nicely into his world. In "Sunshine," Grossman is the somewhat mythical figure who is going to help Richard (Greg Kinnear) with his laughable attempts to make a career out of motivational speaking.

Though the plot of the film revolves around a road trip from New Mexico to Southern California, Grossman's role is key. Richard constantly refers to Grossman being key to the next big step in his obviously non-existent, vacuous motivational speaking career. Instead, Grossman strings Richard along, routinely ignoring his calls, until Richard confronts him in a hotel and they move outside near a pool, where Grossman bluntly informs Richard that he (Richard) is a complete and total failure. Interestingly, this pivotal scene and expression of Grossman's true nature, as evidenced in both films, was not in the original draft of the script. [http://www.moviemaker.com/screenwriting/article/family_values_2849]

Similarities in both films

- Both "Fargo" and "Little Miss Sunshine" received Oscars for best original screenplay and each scored an Oscar for one of their actors: "Sunshine" winning for best supporting actor Alan Arkin, and "Fargo" won lead actress Frances McDormand. Each film was nominated for best picture, screenplay, and supporting actor and had an actress nominated (lead for "Fargo," supporting for "Sunshine"). "Fargo" received more nominations for additional categories: film editing, cinematography and best director(s).

- Both movies were directed by two people related to each other (the Coen brothers and a husband/wife directing team).

- Both movies revolve around a pathetic father figure who throws his family into an improbable mess of his own creation, constantly avoiding the easier and more logical routes to solve problems when the opportunities presents itself.

- Both of the male protagonists are stuck in seemingly unhappy marriages, are distant fathers and put themselves first.

- In both films, he is almost always referred to by his full name, Stan Grossman, adding to his apparent prominence.

- Both of the male protagonists are played by actors who slightly resemble each other in physicality and demeanor, and both protagonists are clearly stupid people.

- Both men have icy relations with the elder father figure in the film and both of those men are dead at the end of the film.

- Both men fall apart largely not only because they absolutely fail to recognize the imploding mess they have created, but also due to Grossman's double-crosses: the parking lot deal in "Fargo" and the pool scene in "Sunshine," with Grossman's cruel dismissal. Ultimately, Stan Grossman is responsible for the male protagonist's plans not working according to their absurd original plan. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/movieconnections]

- Both movies were filmed on location, but in different regions (Minnesota and North Dakota for "Fargo," and Arizona and Southern California for "Sunshine"). As a result, the weather is constant in both films, and just the opposite: vast snow vistas in "Fargo," and bold, sunny landscapes in "Sunshine."

- Both films essentially have bleak endings that are offset by a tone of whimsy and dark humor.

- In the end of both films, Grossman emerges unscathed from the calamity around him. His life remains just as it was. In "Fargo," Jerry is captured by the police and Wade, Grossman's business partner, is brutally murdered, but we are left to presume that Grossman will take over the business and prosper financially. In "Sunshine," Grossman orchestrates the scheme that Richard fully buys into, putting his own business self-interest ahead of the game.

Critical Reception to Stan Grossman

The late Gene Siskel, who along with film critic Roger Ebert named "Fargo" the best film of 1996, specifically praised the character of Stan Grossman in his on-air review of "Fargo," saying that having the "other guy" (in a business partner role) was an example of smart, high-level writing.

Specifically, he said:

“They (the writers) even have the accountant-assistant to the big boss -– that’s very clever writing there –- the loyal helper to the family business who hates the son-in-law." [http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/reviews.html?sec=6&subsec=Fargo]

Official Connection and Tribute to Fargo

Michael Arndt, who wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for "Little Miss Sunshine," intentionally used the character of Stan Grossman as a tribute to the Coen Brothers' "Fargo." In an interview with "Time Out Mumbai," the quote reads:

Woven into the plot is a tribute to 'Fargo,' the superb 1996 comedy by the Coen brothers. Richard’s potential entry into the publishing world is through a man named Stan Grossman, also the name of a recovery agent in 'Fargo.' "I just assumed that people knew it was a tribute to Fargo, but people didn’t realize until we started shooting," Arndt said. [http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/film/client_film_search.asp?strfirstsearchcrietia=&strsecondsearchcrietia=writer~~~]

References

1. Stan Grossman on the IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0028089/
2. http://www.moviemaker.com/screenwriting/article/family_values_2849/
3. IMDb.com reference to Grossman's spoiling of plans: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/movieconnections
4. Review from "Siskel & Ebert" from 1996: http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/reviews.html?sec=6&subsec=Fargo
5. article: "Here comes the sunshine" in "Time Out Mumbia": http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/film/film_details.asp?code=87&source=5