A truly horrible experience - with many gruesome scenes, poor acting and a non=existent plot. Amazing to read the [positive reviews it received when it first came out
The Coen Brothers subversive gangster film is a real treat. Utilising clichéd gangster speech as if laughing at old Hollywood gangster films that featured Paul Muni, George Raft, James Cagney etc but bringing a convoluted, twist and turn plot and cartoon style violence intermixed with gruesome reality this is a film that defies expectations and makes the gangster genre fresh and exciting. Indeed it could be argued there's almost a Fordian style to the film. Set in the Prohibition era it has Gabriel Byrne as Tom, the chief adviser to top mobster Leo (Albert Finney). But rising gangster Caspar (a hilarious Jon Polito) has ambitions and when Leo refuses permission for him to kill Bernie (John Turturro) Tom senses Leo has made a mistake and that their downfall may result. From then the film becomes a cat and mouse game of changing sides and loyalties. It's tremendous fun and has a great script and some beautiful cinematography. This is one of the Coen Brothers great tributes to classical Hollywood and a unique film in it's own right. Simply fantastic this is a film to enjoy time and time again.