Miller's Crossing
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Movie Reviews of Miller's Crossing
Movie Review: "So You Wanna Kill Him ?" "For Starters..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Gabriel Byrne is the trusted number two to crime boss Albert Finney. But Finney's romantic interest in Byrne's girlfriend (Marcia Gay Harden) causes him to risk his control of the city by protecting the girl's brother (John Turturro) against a rival gang leader (Jon Polito), whose fixed fights Turturro has been chiseling in on. How can Byrne manipulate the situation to keep Finney on top, at the risk of losing his girlfriend and beloved boss ?
Right from the opening scene, this 1990 gangster movie from the Coen Brothers will draw you in with its clever dialogue and brilliant sets. I agree this is the best Coen Brothers film. Every detail and conversation is relevant, and the story builds to an intense climax. Not a single misstep and great pacing - just a superb screenplay and production design all around.
For those of you foolish enough to question Gabriel Byrne's accent, the man really is from Ireland. So if you think he's botching the Irish accent, perhaps you don't know what an Irish accent is supposed to sound like !
Movie Review: BEST ARGOT-TOTING PANOPLY OF GANGSTERS...DVD RATHER SIMPLE.
Summary: 5 Stars
Easily Coens' masterpiece...strewn with fascinating argot ("Whats the rumpus?", "Always with the high hat"), breathtaking cliffhangers and plot about-turns, one of the BEST action sequences ever filmed with 'Danny Boy' in the backdrop (at par with the Val Kilmer/De Niro/Pacino cameo in "Heat"), and despite never quite having amassed the epic acclaim of "Godfather", an absolutely exquisite, wholesome treat. Even as a straightlaced gansta flick, it rocks. But beyond that at a deeper level, the movie is an exquisite narrative of more sapient themes such as personal ethics, chance, destiny, and one's command over one's own life -- particulary in the brilliant denouement that happens between Byrne's and Finney's characters.
Given the near-classic status this movie enjoys, one would have expected a lot more from a DVD though -- especially after we were made to wait for so long! At the very least, interviews with the Coens or some of the characters were in order. Is "Criterion" listening?
Movie Review: The closest thing to Shakespeare in our time...
Summary: 5 Stars
The Coen brothers are about as close as we have come in recent generations to a level of artistry and achievement equal to that of Shakespeare. The richness of language, plotting, and character and the breadth and detail of their work is nothing short of phenomenal! And for me at least, Miller's Crossing is their masterpiece. I have watched it many times, and each time I catch some new bit of information or see a story angle or acting nuance that enriches the movie for me. I admire many cinema works, but this one (along with Raising Arizona and to a lesser degree other works by the Coens) is among the few that remain fresh and entertaining even after multiple viewings.
One suggestion; because the actors employ a diverse set of accents and because the language is steeped in a vernacular that takes some getting used to, at some point you may want to watch it with subtitles to be sure you catch the subtleties and nuances of the story.
I'm glad it's coming out on DVD. My video might not have lasted through many more viewings.
Movie Review: Essential DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
There are hundreds of carbon copied gangster movies of the forties, sixties and seventies. Few gangster films fall into the category of great movies. Most bore you to death within the first half hour which is not the case with Millers Crossing. The Coen brothers are one of the elite duos in film. Millers Crossing left me wanting more. The story was hard to follow at times. I will need to watch it again to completely understand the story line. Recently I watched Road to Perdition. If you liked that film and haven't seen Millers Crossing please do immediately. Everything about this film is perfectly done. At times the gangsters take on the comic book imager not depicted in other movies. The DVD was very good. Watch the special features section interview with Barry Sonnenfeld. He has some great insight on the many films him and the Coen brothers have made. I recommend this movie and that everybody who loves films take one week and watch all the Coen Brothers films. My week has been truly enjoyable.
Movie Review: Now there will be peace in this town......
Summary: 5 Stars
"Miller's Crossing" is yet ANOTHER interpolation of Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" (the other being "Last Man Standing", with Bruce Willis). The Coen brothers, however, did a fine job of "tweaking" the story to fit 1920's America. The sets, wardrobe, hardware and accoutrements come right out of the gangster period.
The Actors put forth first-rate performances, as well. Of special note are Albert Finney and John Turturro. Finney for the most memorable scene of standing in the middle of a residential street, emptying the drum of a Thompson Submachine gun at the car of men who were sent to assassinate him in his own home. Turturro for playing Marcia Gay Harden's oily, smarmy, double dealing brother, that makes himself out to be someone you just love to hate!
This film, like "The Untouchables", was convincing in it's portrayal of that violent period of American History. So it plays fast-and-loose with Akira Kurosawa's work, but it is a thrilling drama, nonetheless.