Miller’s Crossing (1990) — Read Along
“What’s the rumpus?”
Originally penned and published over a decade ago and within a career love-in appreciation and opus blog article on every film from the storytelling masters the Coen Brothers, this brief spoiler free review of “Miller’s Crossing” is now paired with my Youtube channel reading of my review recorded late last Summer.
I hope you enjoy.
An immediate favourite film of the Coen Brothers, every re-watch is a joy as a stellar all time cast comprising of Gabriel Byrne, John Turturro, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, Jon Polito and Steve Buscemi conspire to bring the Brothers brilliant screenplay to life. A noir gangster film set in a 1920’s/1930’s American town, the conflict between various warring factions is brutally depicted, as are the varying dualities of the wonderful characters brought to life. Each seemingly has a duality, an unnerving side to them and all main characters are richly layered.
This joy of a film is cast from the very outset:
Opening with a long scene of “Leo” (Albert Finney), a local Mafia crime Boss determined to show his latest adversary “Caspar” (Jon Polito) who really runs and controls the town. Aided on each side by loyal Lieutenants “Tom” (Gabriel Byrne), a Consiglieri to Mafia Boss Leo, and “Dane” (JE Freeman) loyal to Caspar, beautifully shot by returning Director of Photography Barry Sonnenfeld, the scene is well and truly set. Cutting to the opening credits against the beautiful and iconic Miller’s Crossing theme from Carter Burwell, this ends with yet another iconic shot of a black hat blowing on the wind through secluded woods.
Desperately in love with his Boss’ muse “Verna” (a magnificent Marcia Gay Harden), we follow Tom throughout. Played brilliantly in a stand out performance by Gabriel Byrne, every long lingering shot on Byrne shows a nuanced, yet quiet and measured performance. The film’s moral heart, he questions his Boss’ antagonism and counsels against an all out war. Still and rarely blinking, always calm amongst the storm surrounding him, his eyes are yours throughout the film. The scenes between Byrne and Finney and Byrne/Gay Harden are exceptional and the film’s true highlights. As are the scenes between Byrne and John Turturro (playing Gay Harden’s troubled brother “Bernie”). One particular scene with Byrne and Turturro is yet another iconic reminder of this fantastic film, but the main scenes as described here are all simply framed and cut between the two characters, the heartbeat of the film.
A true character film at heart, Jon Polito as Caspar is outstanding as a brash, exuberant and ambitious eccentric looking to take control of the town. Counselled by JE Freeman as Dane, his quiet yet powerful henchman in the background. Marcia Gay Harden is fantastic as Verna, strong and independent and desperately wanting to return the affections and run away with Byrne’s Tom. But alongside Gabriel Byrne, firstly Albert Finney as Leo dominates with another star performance as a Mafia Boss clinging to a crumbling empire and John Turturro as Verna’s troubled brother Bernie. A masterful performance as ever from John Turturro, equally as nuanced as Byrne’s portrayal of Tom. Minor cameos can also be seen from Coen Brothers stalwarts Steve Buscemi and Frances McDormand, as well as Sam Raimi!
Act One ends with the first outright violence of the film, and another iconic moment is born. A bloody shootout in a burning building, spreading to the streets and Albert Finney, machine gun in hand and cigar in mouth, standing victorious, all accompanied by a great version of “Danny Boy”. Whilst a violent film about settling scores and running the illegal scenes of betting and gambling in prohibition USA, the film’s main themes of loyalty, ethics, revenge and love are to the fore. Combined with the characters duplicity it’s a joy of a film and rightly an iconic piece of cinematic history and of the Coen Brothers growing masterful cannon of work.
Writing this retrospectively and as a myopic fan of the both the film and the Directors, I am surprised this film did not garner any Oscar nominations or fare well in any of the respected film festival categories.
23 years on the film remains fresh and engaging with brilliantly written characters who dominate the screen.
A real joy of a film.
