Review of Miller's Crossing (1990) by Melvin W — 16 Dec 2011
Eddie Dane: You understand that if we don't find a stiff out here, we leave a fresh one. .
"Up is down, black is white, and nothing is what it seems.".
Miller's Crossing is the Coen's first masterpiece and after twenty more years of making movies, it still holds up amongst their best. It is a movie that is overshadowed by other mobster movies like Goodfellas and is also under appreciated, not only as a mobster film, but as a Coen film. Miller's Crossing isn't given the credit it deserves. This gave audiences a sneak peek at what they would soon see in Fargo. The plot twists and turns and at times you don't know what the characters angles are or who they are really being loyal to. .
A crime boss(Leo) and his right hand man(Tommy) split. Tommy turns his back on Leo and goes and joins up with Leo's enemy(Casper). There's so much going on, that the plot is kind of hard to describe from here. Casper wants a bookie dead and Leo doesn't. Leo and Tommy have the same love interest and that love interest's brother is the bookie. Casper's right hand man(the Dane) hates Tommy and likewise with Tommy. It isn't as hard to follow while watching the film, but there is a lot of double crossings and at times you really don't know what is going to happen.
Miller's Crossing doesn't have the huge following of other Coen films like The Big Lebowski or Fargo. But big Coen brother fans know and love this movie because it is such a brilliant piece of filmmaking. You can put the dialogue up there with the best of the Coen's work. The films graphic violence scenes are masterfully well done, and although Roger Deakins didn't do the cinematography on Miller's Crossing, Barry Sonnenfeld does a great job making the movie look good.
As good as Miller's Crossing is, Joel and Ethan would still improve from here and go on to make even better movies. This deserves consideration when talking about the best of the best when it comes to the mobster genre. It might not be Goodfellas, but it isn't too far from it.
Verna: Maybe that's why I like you, Tom. I've never met anyone who made being a son of a bitch such a point of pride. .
This review of Miller's Crossing (1990) was written by Melvin W on 16 Dec 2011.
Miller's Crossing has generally received very positive reviews.
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