Review of Miller's Crossing (1990) by Ryan K — 07 Jul 2013

Great use of camera angles during conversational scenes. Gritty mob script, focused on money and the murderous hierarchy. Main character Tom Reagan is a cold as ice, feared and sought out man that makes a compelling lead role.

May be hard for viewers not interested in crime films to follow the back and fourth scenes of mob and bookie talks. Gabriel Byrne is just short of evil but still charming. Lots of walk away one liners that Joel and Ethan Cohen expert in.

Turturro might be the most compelling of all the actors with his slick talk bravado and sick attitude. The cast ensemble in general interacts together maliciously. The film lacks the deepest of meanings but is always entertaining, well written and cleverly comical.

Reagan proves to be powerful but still a drunk who's soft around the edges for co actress Marcia Gay Harden's character Verna. The swift but bloody shoot out between Leo and the Tommy Gun yielding mobsters is one of my personal film favorites.

He is unaffected by wizzing bullets with a poetic feel accompanied by the Italian vocal song playing. Reagan's hat symbolizes his constant loss of control over the things around him, including keeping his cap on his head.

Turturro could have received nominations just based on his 'beg for life' scene. The concept of three of the mobsters being gay is almost refreshing and completely different. The end of the film is fast paced and exhilarating in a gloomy manner.