Recent Reviews for Miller's Crossing
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MCT:July 17, 2008Anybody who wants to write movies... or direct... or be a cinematographer needs to watch this movie. Gripping, funny, violent, brilliantly acted and beautiful to look at. The best.
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MCT:July 13, 2008There are always films in which I find it amazing how long it takes for me to see them. This is one of those. Miller's Crossing is undoubtedly one of the best films put together by the Coen brothers, I would put it right behind films like No Country For Old Men or Fargo. Set in the 1920s, Miller's Crossing is purely a gangster film. The plot is a little difficult to summarize, but it stars the awesome Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects) as a well-estasblished Irish gangster who has a falling out with his boss over a woman. Typical of the Coen brothers, they gather a fabulous cast. From the aforementioned Byrne to his boss played by the legendary Albert Finney to Marcia Gay Harden to Coen-film standbys John Turturro and Steve Buscemi, the cast is entirely astounding, and inhabit the very cool world of the film like few others could. One thing I found most remarkable about this film is the way in which it was shot. They utilize some really interesting, different shots and the cinematography is exceptional and very interesting - and this results in several brilliant, totally memorable scenes. This is a must-see for Coen fans and anyone really, and will especially be popular among lovers of gangster/prohibition-era flicks.
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MCT:July 13, 2008
this is one of the best gangster films iv seen..Gabriel Byrnes gives a good performance..plotting turning one gangster against another..
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MCT:July 1, 2008
This is a brilliant and highly original gangster picture. It's a superb Coen Brothers film too. It's one of their absolute best, and I highly reccomend it. The plot, like a majority of films from the Coens is very complex and twisty, but it makes for some very rewarding multiple viewings. In fact, there's so much detail and subtlety layered in this film that new stuff continues to creep out each time you watch it. It's the sort of film that you don't have to watch more than once to appreciate it, but you should, because you will appreciate it even more. Gabriel Byrne, Joh nTurturro, John Polito, and Albert Finney all give superb performances. Carter Burwell's score, and Barry Sonnenfeld's camera work are brilliant. To sum it all up: this is a brilliant film, and a noirish gangster masterpiece.
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MCT:June 30, 2008I have seen most of Coen's movies before and they are usually really made done with great stories. Often in special way compared to other movies so thats why probably many enjoy something different for a change. Anyway this movie was another great flick from Coen about gangsters back in 20s and crime bosses etc. I love that theme alot so i enjoyed this movie much and it was quite easy to follow with nice acting of all the actors/characters. I have seen better flicks tho before in the same genre so its hard to rate this one , a 3.5++.. Enjoy
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MCT:June 25, 2008
Like 'Fargo' and 'No Country for Old Men', Miller's Crossing is a beautifully shot film with beautiful landscapes. The Coens' direction is in superb form here, setting the film in Prohibition era where most characters wear fedora hats and long coats. The story is as confusing as 'The Big Lebowski' or Howard Hawks' 'The Big Sleep' with so many twists and turns you find you must watch the film a second or third time to completely understand it. But the characters and dialogue are so intriguing that you enjoy watching it every time you do. The set-pieces are another highlight, like the scene where mob-boss Leo is in his robe firing a Tommy gun, or the iconic woodland scene where John Turturro pleads for his life. There are great performances from Albert Finney, Gabriel Byrne, Jon Polito and the menacing J. E. Freeman as The Dane. This is a classic Coen.
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MCT:June 25, 2008
Miller's Crossing is morally complex, thematically rich, visually beautiful, and emotionally authentic. Wham bam thank you ma'am.
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MCT:June 22, 2008
Absolutely fantastic. I love the part where Albert Finney takes out a bunch of gangsters with one clip in a Tommy Gun while smoking a cigar, in his bathrobe, now that's badass.
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MCT:June 12, 2008
"Miller's Crossing" (1990)
I think that this is one of the Coen brothers best films. I'm not normally a big fan of their black comedies, where they tend to laugh at their character's misery or stupidity. This movie seems very different, and maybe that's why it isn't as well liked by some of the Coen Brothers fans out there.
This is their homage to the gangster movie. You've got your typical warring Italian mob, run by Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) versus the Irish mob. Gabriel Byrne plays Tom Reagan, an advisor to Irish crime boss, Leo O'Bannon (Albert Finney). Tom is the brains of the outfit, and is able to see all of the angles of a situation, and can usually figure out some way around them, while Leo is the muscle.
It's hard to see Leo as a tough mob boss until you get to the "Danny Boy" scene where he kicks butt and takes names. Leo's only weakness is his love of his girlfriend, Verna Bernbaum (Marcia Gay Harden). Oh, and did I mention that Tom is screwing Verna behind Leo's back?
One day, Tom is ordered to kill Verna's brother, Bernie (John Turturro) and this puts Tom in an awkward situation with Verna. Bernie is able to talk Tom out of killing him, but you know that it's only a matter of time that the powers-that-be will find out. Tom is running a tightrope of warring factions, with diverse loyalties and deadly secrets. How he's able to stay alive, is incredible.
One of the things I love about this movie is the language. It really sounds like these guys are from the 20s. This movie is very violent, so it's not really something that your girlfriend/wife will like. It's a guy flick. Then again, maybe she will. -
MCT:June 12, 2008Ho hum. Yet another mobster movie. Doesn't compare to Godfather or Goodfellas. Lots of pointless killing. Plot's all twisty. The Coen Brothers angle just means your supposed to laugh when folks get blown away.
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MCT:June 6, 2008Absolutely stunning in its cinematography, the Coen's construct a simple, yet inthralling story, backed up by performances to match any other.
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MCT:June 5, 2008
I know everyone talks about "No Country For Old Men," but this is the Coen brothers' best movie. Every shot contributes to the overall feel and character of the movie and the acting is good throughout the cast. Keep your eyes open for "Spider Man" director Sam Raimi in a cameo.
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MCT:June 3, 2008
"Tell Leo he's not God on the throne, he's just a cheap political boss with more hair tonic than brains."
Miller's Crossing is an outstanding gangster drama made prior to the Coen Brothers developing into a massive household name. Even in their early days, the duo consisting of Joel and Ethan Coen could produce movies executed with articulate cinematography, witty dialogue and suspenseful action. It's fascinating that the Coen Brothers were able to successfully nail the gangster genre in one attempt with a screenplay they penned themselves.
Miller's Crossing relies solely on its character development to flesh out the plot. Instead of sincerely delving into the lives of several characters, the film is concerned with one man in particular: Tom Reagan (Byrne). Tom is a wise guy and a loner: acting as a quintessential right-hand man to Prohibition-era Irish mob boss Leo (Finney). The story is a complex plot of intrigue, loyalty and betrayal as it examines the morals within the criminal underworld of the 1930s. The film focuses on two rival gangs that contend for control of the city. Tom's loyalties begin to blur when disputes arise between he and Leo over a girl named Verna (Harden). Inadvertently, Tom is now caught in the middle of a gang war while being posed the question of allegiances. On the surface Miller's Crossing is a mob war film, but underneath it's an exploration of the relationships between a horde of interesting characters, largely from Tom's point of view. Most importantly it is fundamentally an examination of Tom's internal conflicts.
Gabriel Byrne is astonishing as Tom Reagan. Interestingly enough, Byrne's performance reminded me of the classic Bogart performances: a wise-cracking, cool, manipulative and likeable rogue. Byrne is very engaging for those with patience. His performance in this film will always be remembered as one of the genre's finest. Albert Finney is at the top of his game. Similar to the rest of the cast, Finney is absorbing whenever he receives screen time. If anything I believe that Finney was underused; appearing rarely into the second half. Jon Polito is terrifying and menacing as the rival mob boss. Polito nailed his character. Every scene he features in he is nothing short of brilliant. I could not spot any flaws or lapses in his concentration.
The style of the Coen Brothers will not be accepted by all. Many of their creative choices are questionable, albeit unique. The pacing is sometimes extremely slow: an aspect that can be attributed to the way they direct the actors. Similar to every dialogue-orientated gangster film in existence, the filmmakers demand patience. Another unique style of the Coen Brothers is the over-the-top violence and bloodshed. You will frequently witness geysers of blood spurting out from a character that has been shot.
The film also boasts some amazing cinematography. Barry Sonnenfeld's career started as a cinematographer before moving further up the ladder to directing. Sonnenfeld's work cannot be faulted.
Miller's Crossing is one of the definitive films of the Coen Brothers, and marks one of their crowning achievements. The film's single fatal flaw is that it's extremely difficult to get into. It's vital to pay attention to every scene otherwise you'll fall behind and struggle to catch up while missing more of the movie. Naturally, this just means that several screenings are necessary. Overall, Miller's Crossing is extremely an entertaining gangster movie that may not be for all tastes. Do not judge too harshly after your first viewing. -
MCT:May 22, 2008
Fantastically moody and stylish filmmaking. Brilliant acting and some truly memorable 'moments'.
Another winner from the Coens. -
MCT:May 19, 2008
This mafia/crime film with Al Mancini, John Turturro, Albert Finney, Gabriel Byrne and Steve Buscemi is a powerful and stylish tale which is one of the best films ever directed by the Coen brothers. Spectacular.
88/100 -
MCT:May 12, 2008
Another film from the Coens i recently watched. It's 1929 and the New York mafia is boiling. Albert Finney, Gabriel Byrne and John Turturro worked on this flick that gives you the creeps if you're not emotionally prepared. Authentic, original and obscure to its foundations.
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MCT:April 30, 2008
Intellectually challenging and fast-paced so you have to pay attention all the time. Visually very good and Gabriel Byrne performs flawless in the leading role. Very good and complex story, the script is just amazing. A solid and underrated movie from the Coen brothers that deserves as much, if not more, attention as the other famous gangster-movies.
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MCT:April 29, 2008
I think this might be the last of the great Coen movies that I hadn't previously seen. Next, I'll have to resort to Crimewave.
I gave my parents No Country for Old Men to watch and, for some reason, I thought this one would be in that vein. I mean, Fargoi is even more like No Country than Miller's Crossing is. This one's got a weird, Coen-specific sense of humor about it. While not being a funny movie, it does have a much lighter attitude than I thought would come from a gangster film. The main reason is the casting of the rival mob boss. that guy is always a silly character. Nothing really changes in this one. Actually, he's kind of meant to look like a buffoon in this movie and he does that extremely well. And having hard-assed Gabriel Byrne acting across from him is a hell of a choice.
People keep on mentioning the hats in Miller's Crossing. I will confirm this for those people who haven't seen this one yet. There are a hell of a lotta hats in this movie. Perhaps too many. The thing is, there's soem really very visually cool stuff that happens with the hats. I mean, look at the scene they used for the menu. I think that's absolutely fantastic. That's a good use of a hat. I was actually sitting there wondering if they had a guy air cannoning that hat all the way to the treeline. I mean, it's clearly not a natural wind pushing that hat. Nothing else is really disturbed but the hat, which really climbs. I mean, I'm not saying a hat couldn't movie if you didn't put some wind against it, but I imagine you'd have to have a heck of a wind. Anyway, there's a lot of hats in this movie.
The movie really is more deceptive than I give it credit for. I was hooked from the beginning simply because I like the Coens, but for totally different reasons than when I was hooked at the end. The beginning made it seem like a light gangster movie (I know, right?) and then it's all a game of deception and escapism. The movie really locked me in with John Tuturro. I've always kind of liked him as an actor, but this was one of my favorite parts. He's one of those characters you love to hate, but yet still feel some pity for. Doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the way the movie developed. Not that at all. I'm just saying that there's depth to those choices.
This movie really does epitomize early Coen though. I thought if you threw a hula hoop into this movie, you could have gotten Hudsucker Proxy (with guns...of course.) It's a great movie that claims to be confusing. Yeah, it is, but not really. I imagine I'm not going to watch it again to figure it out, but simply watch it again because I liked it a lot. -
MCT:April 10, 2008
its been a long time coming, but i finally managed to watch this film in its full length..a whos who, good twist typical fromt the coen bros.. its now an ancient film, but its where th coen bros learned there trade and some of there future films can been seen in this one..if you've never seen it check it out and a very small cameo from francis mcdormand heehehe..
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MCT:March 19, 2008Well made, but boring. Definitely has the feel of an old classic gangster movie, but it draaaags. The Coens know how to make violence creative and exciting, though.
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MCT:March 17, 2008
Miller's Crossing is awesome! What a masterpiece. I didn't know much about this going into it. It's an old-school gangster/noir film by the Coen brothers, but it's also very funny. Funny ha ha, AND, just kind of quirky funny (for example the characters' little idiosyncrasies). Anyway, the plot is perfect with no holes. The dialogue is brisk and amazing. The performances are all so good--especially Steve Buschemi's little 2 minutes on screen, and John Turturo. After this movie, his eccentricity kind of came to grate on my nerves a bit, but here, he was a scene-stealer. Albert Finney (Daddy Warbucks) was awesome, and got the scene of his lifetime jumping out of a burning building and gunning down gangsters with a machine gun.
Another great movie moment: John Turturo pleading for his life (twice). ("Look in your heart!") -
MCT:March 14, 2008
Here's the rumpus: Toupee. Chair in the face. Oh Danny Boy. Bernie's a Bitch. Tom gives 'em the high hat. I gotta dangle.
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MCT:March 3, 2008
"take your flunky and dangle"... italian + irish warring gangsters in 20Žs America.. con men + killers, absorbing complex characters..."Danny Boy" best scene... 1 that i will certainly watch again + again..."ACE"
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MCT:March 2, 2008
Very good watch. Solid acting. The plot is hard to follow, but the big picture doesn't get convoluted.
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MCT:February 28, 2008
The Coen Brothers' ode to gangster movies. Great acting, terrific story and an absolutley amazing gunfight set to the song "Oh Danny Boy". This is a must-see.
