JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Millers Crossing (1990)-Footage Included
Miller’s Crossing
Writer/Directors:Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring:Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Marcia gay Harden, Jon Polito, Olek Krupa
Cinematography:Barry Sonnenfeld
“If I knew we were going to cast our feelings into words I would have memorised the song of Psalm”- Tom Reagan
Marching to the beat of their own drum, the writer/Director duo of the Coen Brothers burst onto the scene with their wicked noir treat Blood Simple, back in 1984.
Instantly recognized within the industry for their knowledge of technique and off-the-wall scripting, it took until the release of Miller’s Crossing for the general public to sit up and take notice.
Atmospheric, effortlessly shifting tone and eloquently written, the film plays out like the bastard child of an evil ménage a trios between Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, Dashiel Hammet’s The Glass Key and John Huston’s The Ashphalt Jungle.
Set in the 1930’s during the prohibition era, it is a violent time when the mob rules. Running the city is hard nosed Irish gangster Leo (Albert Finney), at his side with sage advise is the wily and resourceful Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne).
“You don't hold elected office in this town. You run it because people think you do. They stop thinking it you stop running it.” – Tom Reagan
A bloody war is on the horizon with the excitable and volatile Italian crime boss Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). Tom takes it upon himself to try and preserve the peace and protect the stubborn Leo.
“You think that I'm some guinea, fresh off the boat, and you can kick me! But I'm too big for that now. I'm sick a' takin the scrap from you, Leo. I'm a' of marching into this goddamn office to kiss your Irish ass. And I'M SICK A' THE HIGH HAT!” – Johnny Caspar
Positioning himself right in the middle of the feud, Tom plays it close to his chest as his allegiances shift from one side to the other in an attempt to control the outcome.
Throw a deadly dame into the mix and the Tommy guns blaze, tough guy dialogue spills and the plot keep you guessing till the very end.
“My chin's hanging out right next to yours. I'd worry a lot less if I thought you were worrying enough.” – Tom Reagan
Or maybe it is just the story of a man who wants his hat back?
“Nah, it stayed a hat and no, I didn't chase it. Nothing more foolish than a man chasin' his hat.” – Tom Reagan
John Doe says:
A standalone gangster film that manipulates the established tone of the genre while still having time to homage some of the greats of yesteryear. Graphically Directed, elaborately staged with strategic camera movements you just want to watch scenes repeatedly.
Cinematographer, now turned Director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty) makes every frame seep with atmosphere and moody masculinity. The score is nothing short of poignant, bringing forth unseen emotion and casting a spell that transports you back to the crime yarns of 1930’s cinema.
The complex and enveloping script fills out the landscape, serving as an extra character. Every line a keeper, every exchange laced with deeper meaning and a pitch black sense of comedy. The use of street Jargon from the time means you process every syllable.
So I think I’ve established that the filmmaking on display is of a high order, but that’s not why I truly worship this film.
The reason I love this and watch repeatedly is Gabriel Byrne (Usual Suspects, Jindabyne, Excalibur, The Courier, Gothic) as Tom Reagan. Channelling the ghost of Bogey and playing the man of few words with calculated confidence.
His eyes are unflinching, his body language effortlessly nonchalant and the understated delivery of what he knows are poetic lines…..I think I developed an unhealthy man crush on the man when Millers Crossing was first released.
The rest of the players are no less impressive and their performances are complete. Albert Finney (Two For The Road, Charlie Bubbles, Murder On The Orient Express, The Duellists, Looker, Shoot The Moon, The Dresser, Traffic) burns the screen up as the haggard mobster and the scene where he lets loose with a Tommy Gun while a rousing rendition of Danny Boy warbles is cinematic perfection.
Coen regular John Turturro (Barton Fink, O Brother, Quiz Show, Do the Right Thing) becomes what many consider his most memorable character this side of “the Jesus” in The Big Lebowski. As the snivelling two faced heel that causes most of the films friction indirectly.
Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Tree Lounges, Living In Oblivion) has a small but memorable role as a slimy crook of questionable sexuality. Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River, Pollock) initially seems miscast but quickly makes the seductive part her own.
The Coen brothers (Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, Man Who Wasn’t There, Hudsucker Proxy, O Brother) may have dropped the ball recently with Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers (remake) but they have a cannon of quality up their sleeve and this is a prime example of what their films have to offer.
The more you watch this, the more you see. The more you listen, the more you know and then you watch it again, finding even more subtle depth and moments of unabashed literal humour.
The DVD:
Transfer; 16:9 Widescreen/4.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Various cast and crew interviews that serve to reveal some information about the shooting of the film.
Here is the glorious Albert Finney scene as he cuts loose with his weapon of choice. Just click below.
DVD Cover
Starring:Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Marcia gay Harden, Jon Polito, Olek Krupa
Cinematography:Barry Sonnenfeld
“If I knew we were going to cast our feelings into words I would have memorised the song of Psalm”- Tom Reagan
Marching to the beat of their own drum, the writer/Director duo of the Coen Brothers burst onto the scene with their wicked noir treat Blood Simple, back in 1984.
Instantly recognized within the industry for their knowledge of technique and off-the-wall scripting, it took until the release of Miller’s Crossing for the general public to sit up and take notice.
Atmospheric, effortlessly shifting tone and eloquently written, the film plays out like the bastard child of an evil ménage a trios between Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, Dashiel Hammet’s The Glass Key and John Huston’s The Ashphalt Jungle.
Set in the 1930’s during the prohibition era, it is a violent time when the mob rules. Running the city is hard nosed Irish gangster Leo (Albert Finney), at his side with sage advise is the wily and resourceful Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne).
“You don't hold elected office in this town. You run it because people think you do. They stop thinking it you stop running it.” – Tom Reagan
A bloody war is on the horizon with the excitable and volatile Italian crime boss Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). Tom takes it upon himself to try and preserve the peace and protect the stubborn Leo.
“You think that I'm some guinea, fresh off the boat, and you can kick me! But I'm too big for that now. I'm sick a' takin the scrap from you, Leo. I'm a' of marching into this goddamn office to kiss your Irish ass. And I'M SICK A' THE HIGH HAT!” – Johnny Caspar
Positioning himself right in the middle of the feud, Tom plays it close to his chest as his allegiances shift from one side to the other in an attempt to control the outcome.
Throw a deadly dame into the mix and the Tommy guns blaze, tough guy dialogue spills and the plot keep you guessing till the very end.
“My chin's hanging out right next to yours. I'd worry a lot less if I thought you were worrying enough.” – Tom Reagan
Or maybe it is just the story of a man who wants his hat back?
“Nah, it stayed a hat and no, I didn't chase it. Nothing more foolish than a man chasin' his hat.” – Tom Reagan
I swear to god, there is this guy called jason Veheers, he wears a hockey mask and carries a chainsaw!
John Doe says:
A standalone gangster film that manipulates the established tone of the genre while still having time to homage some of the greats of yesteryear. Graphically Directed, elaborately staged with strategic camera movements you just want to watch scenes repeatedly.
Cinematographer, now turned Director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty) makes every frame seep with atmosphere and moody masculinity. The score is nothing short of poignant, bringing forth unseen emotion and casting a spell that transports you back to the crime yarns of 1930’s cinema.
The complex and enveloping script fills out the landscape, serving as an extra character. Every line a keeper, every exchange laced with deeper meaning and a pitch black sense of comedy. The use of street Jargon from the time means you process every syllable.
So I think I’ve established that the filmmaking on display is of a high order, but that’s not why I truly worship this film.
The reason I love this and watch repeatedly is Gabriel Byrne (Usual Suspects, Jindabyne, Excalibur, The Courier, Gothic) as Tom Reagan. Channelling the ghost of Bogey and playing the man of few words with calculated confidence.
His eyes are unflinching, his body language effortlessly nonchalant and the understated delivery of what he knows are poetic lines…..I think I developed an unhealthy man crush on the man when Millers Crossing was first released.
The rest of the players are no less impressive and their performances are complete. Albert Finney (Two For The Road, Charlie Bubbles, Murder On The Orient Express, The Duellists, Looker, Shoot The Moon, The Dresser, Traffic) burns the screen up as the haggard mobster and the scene where he lets loose with a Tommy Gun while a rousing rendition of Danny Boy warbles is cinematic perfection.
Coen regular John Turturro (Barton Fink, O Brother, Quiz Show, Do the Right Thing) becomes what many consider his most memorable character this side of “the Jesus” in The Big Lebowski. As the snivelling two faced heel that causes most of the films friction indirectly.
Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Tree Lounges, Living In Oblivion) has a small but memorable role as a slimy crook of questionable sexuality. Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River, Pollock) initially seems miscast but quickly makes the seductive part her own.
The Coen brothers (Big Lebowski, Raising Arizona, Man Who Wasn’t There, Hudsucker Proxy, O Brother) may have dropped the ball recently with Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers (remake) but they have a cannon of quality up their sleeve and this is a prime example of what their films have to offer.
The more you watch this, the more you see. The more you listen, the more you know and then you watch it again, finding even more subtle depth and moments of unabashed literal humour.
The DVD:
Transfer; 16:9 Widescreen/4.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Various cast and crew interviews that serve to reveal some information about the shooting of the film.
Here is the glorious Albert Finney scene as he cuts loose with his weapon of choice. Just click below.
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
JohnDoe,
i loved this movie...the man chasing his hat says so much...and then "are you givin' me da high hat!"....nice one, Norm
Film & TV on DVD
This movie really amazes me every time I watch it.
There is always some new camera angle or sound cue that jumps out.
The dialogue to gets richer with each listen.
Are you a Coen Brothers fan Norm??
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
if fan is short for fanatic, then no...I do like their films though...books have more of a hold of me these days...dipping in and out of something at my leisure...i find preferable...Barton Fink, is another one of theirs that i loved when I saw it...
Norm
Film & TV on DVD
Im also a fan of Barton Fink. It really is a writers movie that one.
Big Lebowski would be in my top 5 comedies of all time.
Blood Simple and Man Who Wasn't There both entertain me immensly.
Im also into books and usually digest one or two a week. That I use for ideas and inspiration, film I study in a different way with the same results.
Music is also a big influence in my life.
I am one of those people who if I like something, I love something and become obsessively curious about it.
Im kind a fanatic in life is what Im saying books, comics, music, film, art in general really rocks my boat.
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I rarely go out of my way to see a movie..and I'd say that it's neither here nor there who directed it...two or three books a year is my average and i rarely finish them(hiding head in shame)....i like sports too much and visual art and try my best with music but admit that I find it beyond me...favourite author: Samuel Beckett.
Norm
Film & TV on DVD
I am not a fan of watching sports on TV at all. Im not much of a runaround kinda guy any way and never got the concept of team sports.
Visual art is right up my alley and though I have neglected mylove of it, still appreciate how truly moving a painting can be.
Favourite Author:
H G Wells
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
some of us are born into team sports and some of us have team sports thrust upon us...once they are in your brain they just won't leave...eviction notices pending...the act of drawing has saved me from myself so many times but i love the works of others far more than my own...i don't think artists are treated fairly by society...to me, they are the best of humanity...to me, art is the best we have to offer...
Norm
Film & TV on DVD
It seems great art lends itself to suffering and is seldom recognized straight away.
It sounds like you are passionate about drawing and that is the most important component to success. I suspect it would be not be your life force unless you were talented, so keep it up.
Horrorphile
nice work. To be honest, I need to watch this movie again. When it came out I was a little confounded by it. I found it tedious in places, and hard to follow in others.
I'm a huge Coen brothers fan. Blood Simple was the movie that made me want to make movies. I saw it on video when I was about 16. It's still in my top 10 faves of all time (which incidentally hasn't changed much in about 15 years).
Barton Fink, Fargo and Raising Arizona are my other faves of theirs.
Film & TV on DVD
Your not the first personj I know who found it hard to follow.
Miller's Crossing does demand undivided attention, but it's worth the effort. At least it is for me.
Kind of took for granted you would be a Coen brothers fan or at least like some of their movies.
Should be fun chatting face to face 2morrow at the Xmas party.
See you there.
From The Home Front
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*l-ing ol*
.. Classic .. I think I'll enjoy this film muchly... great time period...I noticed that you don't put the rating on your reviews and wondered if this was MA or R... I ask becuase it is a mood thing with me on how much violence I fancy and like to make informed choices... I'll file this one as fairly violent...MA?
..thanks for the heads up...
Lilla...
Film & TV on DVD
Millers Crossing is rated M in Australia I think. On its original cinema release it was an R.
I think I might put the rating on my reveiws from now on. Its so easy and as you said makes it a simple way to gauge the films content.
Millers Crossing does not have oodles of violence, but when it does come it is sudden and brutal. I think fairly violent is a good assesment.
Please come back and share your opinion of the film once you see it.
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Turturro is great in it...
Film & TV on DVD
"Look in your heart Tom" John Turturro performance lodges in the mind and makes the role of a slimy coward his own.