“Miller’s Crossing” (1990)
My Coen Brothers Top Ten — Vol 7.
The Coen Brothers third cinematic release may be classified as my seventh all time favourite film of theirs but make no mistake, there are six incredible films before Miller’s Crossing on their all-time roll call of greatness and this noir gangster tale was very definitely their first stone cold classic. Blood Simple in 1984 was a mightily impressive debut film and Raising Arizona three years later isn’t as great as many would have you believe but their third film Miller’s Crossing is, and although only seventh on my all-time list, this was their first bona-fide classic.
I’ve made it my cinematic life’s work to be obsessed with the mad filmmaking brothers from Minnesota and I remain rather proud of the opus blog article below that catalogues their first thirty two years in the art of film and their seventeen films released between 1984 and 2016. It’s crammed full with obsessional love and should you take a peek at this lengthy article I’d be honoured. Alternatively, and assuming you’re here for my rambling musings on the incredible performances of Marcia Gay Harden, Jon Polito, Albert Finney, Gabriel Byrne as well as John Turturro stealing every scene as he so often does, here is my near decade’s old appraisal of the Coen Brothers first film for the ages.
“What’s the Rumpus?”
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.
Thanks for reading. Just for larks as always, and always a human reaction rather than spoilers galore. My three most recently published film articles are linked below or there’s well over 180 blog articles (with 350+ individual film reviews) within my archives from which to choose:
