Rating: Summary: A remarkable film. One of the best films of this decade. Review: When I saw the film Miller's Crossing for the first time, I will admit that I didn't really understand the story or the plot. After watching this film about four or five more times, I feel that this film was badly overlooked by many critics and especially by the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Films . So many directors have tried to film a unique gangster film that will achieve it's own place in American film history, only to fail miserably. Miller's Crossing is a crowning achievement in cinematography, screenwriting, and acting. The Coen brothers show their audience a true side of organized crime in the 1920's. The Godfather is the greatest mafia movie that was ever made, but Miller's Crossing is the only film that has ever come close to challenging Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece.
Rating: Summary: The Point was... I'm not sure what the point is. Review: What makes this movie great is that all of the characters are undefined. For defined characters see the ice cream truck movie.
Rating: Summary: Most Cerebral Gangster Movie Review: You'll get a lot of arguments about the best gangster movie of all time, but there's no doubt that "Miller's Crossing" is the most cerebral. Believe it or not, the action of this (very violent) story is driven by dialogue, which you'd better pay attention to. Viewers accustomed to yapping and napping through a film while waiting for the "good parts" will find themselves quickly lost here. So do yourself a favor: take the phone off the hook, finish folding your laundry some other time, AND PAY ATTENTION.
Rating: Summary: Not sure what the point was Review: It's the 1920s in a big, corrupt city controlled by gangsters. Violence, stupidity, backstabbing and greed are everywhere. There are beatings, shootings, burnings, and broken glass. It's always dark, even during the day. Anyone who doesn't end up dead ends up unhappy.
Rating: Summary: The best movie of all time... Review: There isn't really any other movie that's captured me as much as Joel and Ethan Coen's Miller's Crossing. This movie has it all -- an excellent script, great actors, love, romance, and struggle. I've seen this movie at least 7 times - I limit myself to one time a year so that I don't get tired of it and become insensitive to the its poetry. No other scene has moved me as much as the one in which Bernie -- played by the great John Turturro -- begs for his life at Miller's Crossing. And Tom -- played by Gabriel Byrne -- shows on his face the surfacing of his heart, maybe for the first time in his life. A tribute to film noir, this dense film about the workings of the human heart is to my mind one of the greatest cinematic achievements ever.
Rating: Summary: The Coens at their best. Review: This film, inspired by the Dashiell Hammett novel "The Glass Key", the film of the same name, and Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo", is a beautifully shot, intricately plotted, and wonderfully acted piece of film noir art. Gabriel Byrne, in his best role ever, plays Tommy, the right hand man to Leo(Albert Finney, who's terrific), the Irish head of organized crime in an unnamed city in the 1920's-1930's. He finds himself caught between Leo and the head of an Italian crime gang, Johnny Caspar, played by Jon Polito, in a gang war over turf and a fight hustler named Bernie "the Shmatta" Bernbaum, played by John Turturro. To reveal more would be a crime in itself. Catch director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead 2, Darkman, A Simple Plan) playing a trigger happy cop on a raid. One of the best gangster films since "The Godfather."
Rating: Summary: Best gangster movie of all time -- including The Godfather Review: It may not be the movie of the '90s, but it is the best gangster movie of all time and quite possibly the best thing the Coen brothers ever did, including Blood Simple and Fargo. The use of language and imagery are stunning and the storyline is serpentine enough to keep you involved until the end.
Rating: Summary: All around Great Movie Review: Excellent Movie! Great story, great Acting, great directing. One of the Coen Borthers finest works.
Rating: Summary: The immortal film of Coen brothers Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Some Background Review: "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.
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