Rent Miller's Crossing (1990)

Clever Coen Brothers Film That Again Subverts Genre Conventions - Miller's Crossing review by GI

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.

Nasty stuff - Miller's Crossing review by AKL

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

Brilliant homage to film noir but a decent film in it's own right - Miller's Crossing review by Tommy

The Coen brothers personally never let me down. They are always a go to, whatever my mood they have a film i can watch irrelevant of how many times i've seen it. They have made all types of genres but their particular style and tone is always a hit. The mix of comedy and drama balanced with the themes and characters being the focus is always spot on. Despite the silly comedy at times there is always a focus and respect on the stories, characters, cinematography, music/score etc. In my opinion of course. With the exception of The Ladykillers.

This is an early film for them. A homage to film noir. This has all of what you expect from noir in the 40s, 50s etc. The awesome thing is this works as it's own film. The characters and plot is clever in it's balance of homage and creativity to be it's own thing. The main thing for that is the brothers' own style. Their humour and technical ability is all there. Not flawless but that doesn't always mean it's not a great film. This is. To make it's point with in the film the violence is hard hitting. It's not constant but when needed it makes the point that the world these gangsters live in is hard. It suggests that the character we follow is in genuine danger, this might not be a happy ending. Good as this can make a story more meaningful and memorable. Apart from The Ladykillers.

I don't think this tries to hard to be really dramatic or funny. I think this picks the tropes and homages at the right times. Millers Crossing also is well paced. It doesn't rush to get everything in or over complicate the plot. It waits that extra beat with the character to have us feel something during the drama consequences or emotional scenes. This also doesn't try to make the characters likable. It shows the flaws. The Coens always do these well. Apart from the Ladykillers.