Miller's Crossing
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Movie Reviews of Miller's Crossing
Movie Review: Dashiell Hammett Has Never Been Done Better
Summary: 5 Stars
Miller's Crossing is the most skillful and affectionate film ever based on the novels of Dashiell Hammett. The plot is roughly a cross between Hammett novels The Glass Key and Red Harvest, though it's in adapting the latter that the Coen's really hit their peak. Red Harvest was also the inspiration behind such fine films as Kurosawa's Yojimbo, Leone's A Fistful of Dollars and Walter Miller's Last Man Standing, but it's never been done better than here. (One wonders when the novel will be adapted under its own name.) This is perhaps the most violent story ever filmed and yet also the most ingenious: A town is run by two rival gangs and one man, in this case Gabriel Byrne, cleverly makes them destroy one another. The performances are inspired, especially the brilliant John Turturro as a very loose cannon. The scene where Byrne is led to his own death under a canopy of trees is one of the greatest moments ever filmed and is very nicely foreshadowed under the credits. If you like gangster movies and you've already seen the first two Godfather flicks, this is unquestionably the one to see.
Movie Review: If you think you know the Coen Brothers
Summary: 5 Stars
It is hard to find DVDs treated with such reverence by their makers.The quality of the transfer, color saturation, and the extras are all some of the best seen in release.
Add to that, one of the better bits of story-telling in many years.
Hard to believe this was only the Coen Brother's second outing in film, just after the auspicious debut, "Blood Simple".
For those who didn't pick up on their work until the success of "Raising Arizona", it is very much worth going back & picking up this DVD. It's recreation of the 1920s, and the dissection of gangland rivalries, is exceptional.
Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Tuturro, Marcia Gay Harden are all exceptional. But there are many more actors in smaller but pivital rolls who will also catch your eye.
And in the annals of cinema, the sequence where Albert Finney's character has a shoot-out with opposing gang hit-men, will be studied for years. Terrific storytelling, with nary a word spoken. It ranks up there with the opening scene of "Touch of Evil".
For those of you who love great moviemaking, this is for you.
Movie Review: The Coens' Greatest
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in 1990, I was vaguely aware of the Coen Brothers, having seen Raising Arizona several dozen times. I was eager to see their new release, which from the ads seemed like it would be an entertaining, quirky gangster film. While I never got to see it theatrically, several months later I saw it on video and was amazed. Miller's Crossing is easily the best gangster film of all time.The dialogue is second-to-none, and the acting is simply perfect. Albert Finney delivers one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history when he shows why he's known as "an artist with the Thompson". This is as close to perfect as a movie can get.
The wait for the release of this DVD was maddening. My trusty, old VHS copy had nearly worn out. When I finally picked this up, I was thrilled beyond belief. It was the first time I'd seen it widescreen, and the picture looked amazing compared to my old tape. While I would have liked to have seen a deluxe special edition, I'm more than pleased with this DVD.
If you enjoy movies of any kind, you owe it to yourself to own Miller's Crossing.
Movie Review: Early Coen brothers film is one of their best
Summary: 5 Stars
"Miller's Crossing" is a wonderfully unique look by Ethan and Joel Coen at one America's most violent decades, the 1930s. Although many ambitious gangster pictures like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas" recieve accolades, "Miller's Crossing," in its own understated way is just as good. There are many stand out performances in this film including Gabriel Byrne as 'Tom Reagan,' John Turturro as 'Bernie,' and Albert Finney as the mob king pin 'Leo.' "Miller's Crossing" is exemplified by its quirky characters and unique setting seen in more critically acclaimed Coen Brothers works like "Fargo" and "O Brother, Where Art Though?" Perhaps the best the reason to this film is to see the attempted hit on 'Leo' set to the wonderful Irish ballad, "Danny Boy," and hear Carter Burwell's eerily beautiful score featuring a standout oboe, waning the moodiness that permeates through this film. "Miller's Crossing" is a must see for any Coen Brothers fan or fan of film. Take note of a younger Steve Buscemi whon like in other Coen Brothers films, does not have a happy end by the credits.Movie Review: One of the best Gangster Movies ever...
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie should be required viewing for the genre, right alongside The Godfather -- and frankly, I like Miller's Crossing better.The camera work is beautifully done, the music perfect, and the acting is all good -- and some of it is truly outstanding, particularly Gabriel Byrne's and Albert Finney's performances.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie involves Leo (Albert Finney), a few assassins sent to kill him, and some very enthusiastic gunplay. I won't spoil it, but watch Leo's cigar, and his facial expressions. Albert Finney is GOOD.
And Gabriel Byrne was so good as Tom that I've never been able to watch him in any other movie without thinking, "Where's his fedora?"
The setting of the Prohibition Era is perfectly rendered, yet the characters are perfectly archetypical and the story is timeless.
Anyone who likes Gangster Movies must watch Miller's Crossing.
(And I cannot resist this response to one previous review: Anyone who thinks it's "boring" should TRY WATCHING IT, instead of fast-forwarding through it looking for the explosions and car chases.)