01/07/2012 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

"Miller's Crossing" by Yojimbo

An Irish gangster splits with his boss after an argument over his mistress and finds both sides of a mob war trying to tempt him over to their side. Unusually lacking in their trademark quirky humour, Miller's Crossing is possibly the most "straight" film the Coens have made so far. Ostensibly an homage to the gangster films of the 1930s with a Film Noir spin, there are no "heroes" here, just a bunch of self-serving weasels trying to put one over on each other. This gives it the grimy undercurrent of a spaghetti western but with tommy guns instead of six shooters, with a whisky sodden hardcase stalking through the middle of it all played by Gabriel Byrne in one of his best performances. Albert Finney is also as marvellous as ever as his boss and long term comrade at arms and one of the hi...

Rating of
3.5/4 

10/25/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

The Coens' First Masterpiece

The Coen Bros for the first demonstrated to the world their unparalleled mastery in plotting with 'Miller's Crossing', a neo-noir so elaborate that multiple sittings are almost mandatory to fully process and appreciate the baroque richness of the work. Although the Coens' earlier works often suffered from American sensibilities and a general lack of cynicism, 'Miller's Crossing' boasts none of these flaws and instead displays a nihilistic and misanthropic irreverence towards man with various astute and grotesque caricatures of Prohibition era Americans. Indeed, 'Miller's Crossing' can be said, ironically enough, to be one of the Coens' most nihilistic works. Evidently, the Coens didn't realise that they had found their alcove of refinement, and sadly would only become sensible of the afor...

Rating of
4/4 

08/14/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Miller's Crossing review

Tom Regan (Gabriel Byrne) is affiliated with a Mafioso named Leo O’Bannon (Albert Finney). Leo’s rival Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) plans of eliminating Leo’s bookie Bernie (John Turturro). Bernie’s sister Verna, has a relationship with Leo but has an affair with Tom. Leo and Tom had a major conflict so he sides with Caspar. Johnny Caspar’s right hand Eddie Dane does his best to prove that Tom is a fake. In the end, only one man will prevail from the war. Some interesting quotes from the picture: Tom – “Nobody knows anybody. Not that well.” Johnny Caspar – “You double-cross once - where's it all end?” Bernie – “I'm praying to you! Look in your heart.” Eddie Dane – “Up is down, black is white.”

The casting was precise, talented performances were brought out from each character, n...

Rating of
2.5/4 

11/21/2009 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

A stylish, exciting, and funny mob film.,

Miller's Crossing is probably one of the most under-appreciated films in the Coen Brothers pantheon of classics. This story of double, triple, and quadruple crossing is quite possibly one of the best pieces of cinema ever produced. The writing and timing and pace of the film are flawless. The acting is wonderful by Gabriel Byrne as the main character. With perfect supporting work by Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Jon Polito, Mike Starr, Al Mancini, and especially J.E. Freeman as Eddie Dane the ruthless hitman who's onto every move of Gabriel Byrne. Great character development and flowing story keep this really interesting with great scene after great scene. A good score that features the classic Irish folk tune "Oh Danny Boy" in probably one of the best sc...

Rating of
3.5/4 

04/22/2009 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

One great character but everything else is bland.

The problem with this film is the bland nature of every character except the crime boss extremely well played by Albert Finney. Albert Finney's character is great and very well played and the best scene in the film involves him. A great scene of shooting with the music of Danny Boy. The problem though he disappears for most of the film. Instead it is about the very boring other characters who are just too blandly played. I had no interest because they read all of their lines in such a stale manner. The story does not interest me because it does not follow the two crime bosses struggle it follows Gabriel Byrne's bland chracters interactions which might have worked if he interacted more with the non bland Albert Finney character. Anyways I did not like the movie but I loved Albert Finney's ...

Rating of
2/4