[.ca] Miller's Crossing

From Amazon.co.uk:
Arguably the best film by Joel and Ethan Coen, the 1990 Miller's Crossing stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom, a loyal lieutenant of a crime boss named Leo (Albert Finney) who is in a Prohibition-era turf war with his major rival, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). A man of principle, Tom nevertheless is romantically involved with Leo's lover (Marcia Gay Harden), whose screwy brother (John Turturro) escapes a hit ordered by Caspar only to become Tom's problem. Making matters worse, Tom has outstanding gambling debts he can't pay, which keeps him in regular touch with a punishing enforcer. With all the energy the Coens put into their films, and all their focused appreciation of genre conventions and rules, and all their efforts to turn their movies into ironic appreciations of archetypes in American fiction, they never got their formula so right as with Miller's Crossing. With its Hammett-like dialogue and Byzantine plot and moral chaos mitigated by one hero's personal code, the film so transcends its self-scrutiny as a retro-crime thriller that it is a deserved classic in its own right. --Tom Keogh

Amazon.com Essential Video:
Arguably the best film by Joel and Ethan Coen, the 1990 Miller's Crossing stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom, a loyal lieutenant of a crime boss named Leo (Albert Finney) who is in a Prohibition-era turf war with his major rival, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). A man of principle, Tom nevertheless is romantically involved with Leo's lover (Marcia Gay Harden), whose screwy brother (John Turturro) escapes a hit ordered by Caspar only to become Tom's problem. Making matters worse, Tom has outstanding gambling debts he can't pay, which keeps him in regular touch with a punishing enforcer. With all the energy the Coens put into their films, and all their focused appreciation of genre conventions and rules, and all their efforts to turn their movies into ironic appreciations of archetypes in American fiction, they never got their formula so right as with Miller's Crossing. With its Hammett-like dialogue and Byzantine plot and moral chaos mitigated by one hero's personal code, the film so transcends its self-scrutiny as a retro-crime thriller that it is a classic in its own right. --Tom Keogh

The immortal film of Coen brothers:
1990 was a year signed by the return of the gangsters. Watch by instance , four relevants movies , Godfahter III , the worst of the trilogy ; Goodfellas ; State of grace and Miller's crossing. Miller's crossing has been the best film about the mob made not only in the last decade but even now . Sam Mendes made a great effort with Road to Perdition but never reachs this peak of Miller's. Until now , this has been the best work of the Coen brothers , after their opera prima Blood simple. The script about a member of the mob club who follows his own honor code reveals clearly the orignal approach given by both brothers , Gabriel Byrne has never best like this one . Add to this the presence of that thousand carats actor Albert Finney , in a perfect role. Marcia Gay Harden grow up as actress with this film. The puzzle narrative , the dramatic tension and the emblematic violence is told with arresting images , the dramatic bits are shown with artistic commitment , the plot is very credible , adjusted and loaded with poetic realism. Pitifully the great notice of the rebirth of the Godfather , turned the world attention around this jewel. Once more another mistake was made in prejuice of this film . But warning , despite all the facts , this film and State of Grace will remain in a adjusted match as the one two couple in this genre. The time will be the best judge. Coen brothers made a unforgettable effort with The man who wasn't there in 2002 , and that film was also ignored . It's hard to believe because the man... was one of three best film in that year . Well you know , it's a taste question but watch and buy Miller's crossing . I watched it in 1990 and I got in DVD as soon as I could. Please, acquire this one! You'll be always rewarded.

Some Background:
"Miller's Crossing" is a direct linear descendent of "Blood Simple" which was extracted from a line in a Dashiell Hammett novel. In turn, I think "Miller's Crossing" is a homage to one of the best writers of the 20th century. Everyone praises the crisp, cynical dialog of "Millers Crossing" and the complex plot that still holds together. This is characteristic of a Hammett novel. While everyone is familiar with Hammett's "Maltese Falcon," "Miller's Crossing" is more of a blend of the character's and story line found in his "The Glass Key" and the gang war is similar to one in his "Red Harvest". If I am right, the Coens couldn't have a better teacher.

Not Good.:
'Miller's Crossing' was a film I couldn't keep up with. It did not give enough time for character or story development. I lost interest in the story and people fast.

Excellent:
I have to say this movie is one of the best movies ever made - the acting, edting, cinematography, music - everything is amazing - I love the Coen Brothers - my hats off ot them - they always keep me entertained

"Danny Boy":
The scene in which "Danny Boy" provides the musical counterpoint (I won't describe the scene in case you have yet to see the movie) wonderfully contrasts the beauty of the song with the horrific, yet gorgeously presented, violence of the scene. It is the most memorable film scene I have encountered. The version of "Danny Boy" used is also the best rendition of this sentimental song that I know of.