Miller's Crossing
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Movie Reviews of Miller's Crossing
Movie Review: Wonderfully ambivalent in every respect
Summary: 5 Stars
Tom Reagan either sees the whole board like nobody else can, or he is an idiot of the first order. Either seems equally possible to me, as he engages in every double-cross known to man, for reasons which are never made entirely clear. Along the way, he is beaten up seemingly by nearly every inhabitant of the unnamed city's criminal underworld, but seems to accept his lot with resignation.
This movie had so many twists and turns that it required two consecutive viewings to insure that I had it right. One could watch it a million times and still never know exactly what Tom Reagan's motives are. The Coens certainly have no problem leaving the ultimate outcome somewhat unresolved, which always entertains me. Neat, tidy endings are rarely a reflection of real life.
One will find great performances throughout, particularly those of Albert Finney & Gabriel Byrne. The typically twisted Coen humor is on abundant display in the snappy dialogue, sometimes so snappy that the viewer can hardly follow along (Steve Buscemi speaks at such a blistering pace that I had put on the subtitles to make sense of it all).
As other reviewers have said, you either love the Coens or hate them. The surreal, ambivalent qualities which delight some will drives other crazy. I have found both to be true...by the time "Barton Fink" was over, I had no idea what I was even watching anymore, and wondered what the ballyhoo was all about. However, "Miller's Crossing" is a good example of all the best Coenesque qualities falling nicely into place, resulting in a movie which is hugely entertaining without being nearly as frustrating as some others.
Movie Review: modest dvd edition of spectacular film
Summary: 5 Stars
The Coen Brothers' third film is a gorgeous and brilliant modern take on the classic gangster film. A flawless cast, headed by Gabriel Byrne in his best role ever, includes Albert Finney, John Turturro, Marcia Gay Harden and Joe Polito -- even brief appearances from Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand and Sam Raimi. Every performance is terrific, but Byrnes Tom Reagan is a revelation - a complex loner who can take a punch and hold on to his hat. Sets and costumes are beautiful, Barry Sonnenfeld brings considerable talent as DP, and Carter Burwells music is haunting. This is an often forgotten or underrated film by the Brothers Coen, but dont miss it - it presages later devices (our hero lives at the Barton Arms, for instance) and is worthwhile in its own right.The dvd is sparse and has no vocal input from its creators, which seems passing strange, and a shame, but you can hear the film in English, French or Spanish, with subtitles available in English or Spanish, and there is a fun 16-minute featurette called Shooting Millers Crossing: A Conversation with Barry Sonnenfeld, really a monologue about his experience, style and philosophy, including brief storyboard-film comparisons and a hysterical revelation about the ladies room scene. There are also 22 behind-the-scenes photos; trailers for Millers Crossing, Barton Fink and Raising Arizona; and multiple interview soundbites from Byrne, Harden and Turturro.
This is an ingenious genre film with twists, turns, double-crosses, great dialogue, beautiful shots and a superb cast, and its great to have it out on dvd. An essential film.
Movie Review: A Movie for Movie Lovers
Summary: 5 Stars
In an age when most commercial films are really just big TV shows with bloated budgets, cheesy acting and clumsy handling, "Miller's Crossing" reminds us of why we go to movies in the first place. Lovingly cinematic and with subtleties of character that bely their simplicity, this Coen brothers production takes us on a wonderful ride into the pulp fictional world of gangsters. Gabriel Byrne is near perfect as Tom, the tight-lipped lieutenant of an aging mob boss named Leo, played warmly--but with teeth--by the delightful Albert Finney. Dirty dealings and doublecrosses aside, the story is really about love--love of man and woman, love of brother and sister, love of friends, love of surrogate father to surrogate son. Entangled in a brewing gang war and his own conflicted affair with Leo's girlfriend (luscious and sharp-tongued Marsha Gay Harden), Tom must play his cards close to the vest in order to survive and protect those he cares about. Like all of the Coens' films, "Miller's Crossing" will remind you of other things--the ending seems straight out of "The Third Man" and a character name even pops up from "Rear Window"--but part of the joy is seeing their love of film reflected in the events onscreen. Along the way, the Coens manage to reinvent sounds and images we've seen a thousand times before, so that the staccato burst of a Tommy Gun or a dueling fist fight seem suddenly fresh and brilliant. Add a terrific soundtrack, and the result is a cinematic experience, not just a movie. Look for Coen regulars Steve Buscemi, John Turturro and Jon Polito in smaller but effective supporting roles.Movie Review: Prime Coen brothers gangster tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Gabriel Byrne stars as Tom Regan a Prohibition era counselor type gangster who has the ear of Irish racketeering kingpin Leo played by Albert Finney. The insightful Byrne is attempting to broker an uneasy peace between his boss Leo and powerful up and coming Italian mobster Johnny Caspar played flawlessly by bald character actor Jon Polito.
Polito it seems has been having his gambling profits minimized by the efforts of erratic grifter Bernie Bernbaum played by John Turturro. He comes to Finney for his blessing on the execution of the pain in the neck Turturro. Turturro is however under Finney's protection and Finney's refusal to sanction the hit sets off a violent turf war with the scheming Byrne in the middle.
Byrne must negotiate his way through this minefield while having an affair with Leo's mistress Verna played by Marcia Gay Harden, who also happens to be Turturro's sister. Byrne manages to play both sides against each other while frequently getting pummeled throughout the film. It seems as if he's an inveterate gambler and in addition to taking his lumps from each warring faction, he also gets beaten for welching on gambling debts.
The Coen's with brilliant set design and wardrobing create a very authentic looking film populated with accomplished actors doing very effective jobs with their roles. The character development, difficult to attain in a two hour film is nicely accomplished. Their creation "Miller's Crossing" rivals any of the vintage gangster classics considered to be the top films of that genre.
Movie Review: Sister, when I raise Hell, you'll know it.
Summary: 5 Stars
It's incredibly rare to find a film where every single element works. In Miller's Crossing, the Coen brothers demonstrate such mastery of their craft, you'd swear they'd been at it for half a century.The film is not merely a period piece, but an expert homage to a bygone style of filmmaking. Barry Sonenfeld's quicksilver camerawork magics a nameless city in the 30's, all polished oak panels, marble lobbies and ballustraded staircases.
Here, Irish and Italian mobsters in hats and great coats navigate a labyrinthine plot exploring duplicity, greed, betrayal and, in true Coens style, disastrous misunderstandings.
Gabriel Byrne is simultaneously cocksure and world weary as Tom, right-hand man to Albert Finney's irrascible kingpin and playing a dangerous game by bedding his girl ( Marcia Gaye Harden was rightly nominated for an Oscar. God only knows who picked up the award instead of her, but it was a travesty ). As despicable shyster Bernie Bernbaum, John Turturro narrowly manages to steal the movie. His scene in the woods is simply one of THE great screen moments of all time.
Fans of the Coens' later work will find this a supremely satisfying film. It hangs together better than anything else they've done. It has style, pace and, above all, the sharpest, fastest dialogue this side of an old Philip Marlowe movie. Anyone who enjoyed the overrated "Road to Perdition" needs to see how it should've been done.
Thank God it's out on DVD. My VHS was worn to breaking point.
Now take your flunky and dangle.