Review of Miller's Crossing (1990) by Craig N — 12 Jun 2011
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 highlights involves him pulling a Tony Montana on some unfortunate assassins. There are so many crosses, double crosses and triple crosses it'll make your head spin but it's a brilliant and stylish gangster story that stands out as one of the Coens best.
This review of Miller's Crossing (1990) was written by Craig N on 12 Jun 2011.
Miller's Crossing has generally received very positive reviews.
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