Review of Miller's Crossing (1990) by Jared S — 11 Nov 2013

I watched this film for the second time after viewing Josh Olsen's review on Trailers from Hell. I remember really enjoying the movie the first time around but this time I enjoyed it much more. I could better appreciate Tommy's intricate plan and his relation to the entire movie. Tommy is a smart character that is so cool and together he's almost passive (except for fleeting moments of desperation) we don't know much about him other than what we see him do. Tommy is defined strictly by his actions. As is everyone in the film, considering it's totally character driven. And what a colorful cast of characters it is! A character can only be as smart as his writers (that's why the new Sherlock Holmes films are short on detective work and big on action), and the Coen's are always incredibly clever. The movie looks absolutely beautiful as well, the 1920's iconography, photographed by Barry Sonnenfeld is exemplified perfectly in a scene where Tommy squeezes a soaked towel into a bowl near a bottle of liquor. That shot almost sums up the entire film. It's static, beautiful, incredibly well composed and has a lot of character to it.

While it's more of an actor's picture, there are a few great set pieces in the film. The repeated speak easy busts by the police, bursts of graphic violence, and the wonderful suspenseful scene of Albert Finney's character Leo's attempted assassination. The movie is just wonderful, clever dialogue. ('He's got a heart and he's kind". "So it's true that opposites attract") All the scheming and double crossing is brilliant as the movie unfolds. This movie is incredibly watchable and subject to many repeat viewings. I'd have to say the key to its success is atmosphere, which is something I really identify with in a film. I identified this trait after having watched Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo later in the day. The movie creates a great world for the characters to occupy (we are never told what city we are in).

By the end of the film, Tommy has wrapped up all his woes using his cleverness and ability to "play an angle". But I'm not entirely sure he has changed as a character. His one emotional connection in the film, Verna, has left him and he quits working for Leo. I'm not entirely sure why. What has he learned? How has he changed? It's not a fault of the movie, because I leave completely satisfied by the end. I'm sure it's a question that has an answer and I'll have to watch it again!