Miller's
Crossing
When you think of great mob movies, the names Coppola, De Niro, Pesci, Pacino
and Scorcese come to mind. You certainly don't think of Joel and Ethan Coen.
However, you should. While the Coen brothers have created some of the best
comedies of the last 10-15 years (Fargo, Raising
Arizona, Hudsucker Proxy), Miller's Crossing
may be one of their best films.
Set during the prohibition period of American history, the film tells the
fictional tale of a Mafia war between the Irish mob and the Italian mob in
a Chicago-like eastern town. The war starts when Italian mob leader Johnny
Caspar (Jon Polito) goes to Irish mob leader Leo (Albert Finney) to inform
him about a crooked bookie, Bernie (John Turturro). Johnny wants to kill
Bernie because he has been leaking information on fixed fights. This won't
stand with the mob kingpin, but Leo will not allow the retaliation.
It turns out that Bernie is the brother of Leo's lady, Verna (Marcia Gay
Harden). Leo's right hand man, Tommy (Gabriel Byrne), doesn't think Bernie
is worth protecting, but Leo isn't thinking with his head. Soon after, one
of Johnny's men is killed and the war breaks out.
Will Johnny kill Bernie? Who will win the war, Leo or Johnny? What will Leo
do when he finds out that Tommy is fooling around with Verna?
Once again, Joel and Ethan Coen have created a fantastic, complex and thrilling
story. Even if you don't like mob movies, the personal stories and characters
are fascinating on their own. The audience must pay attention to every minor
detail because they lead to a better understanding of the plot.
Gabriel Byrne shows why he is one of the best actors around. His character
is severely conflicted between his admiration for Leo and his love for Verna.
He wants to avoid a major confrontation with Johnny, but realizes his job
is to support Leo even though he feels a great deal of guilt over the illicit
affair.
The supporting characters add great depth to the film. Albert Finney is simply
one of the greatest actors ever. He creates a strong, tough guy you don't
want to run into in a dark alley. John Turturro is fantastic as the weasely,
conniving and weak Bernie and J.E. Freeman is somehow able to step above
the entire cast to create the most memorable and menacing character, Eddie
Dane. This collection of tough guys rivals any Godfather crew. Check it out
this weekend.
Grade: A
Directed by Joel Coen
Written by Ethan and Joel Coen
Cast
Gabriel Byrne
.. Tommy Reagan
Albert Finney
.. Leo
Marcia Gay Harden
. Verna
John Turturro
.. Bernie
Jon Polito
Johnny
Caspar
J.E. Freeman
Eddie Dane
Steve Buscemi
. Mink
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