Miller`s Crossing (1990)- Weekend Review

Miller’s Crossing is one of those movies you may have to watch a few times to get the story straight. If you bother to do that, you will find it is a well plotted, well shot story that comes as close to a masterpiece as we are likely to get in this post modern age of instant gratification. It is a throwback to the film noir movies of the 1940s where everybody is guilty and there is no happy ending.


The plot deals with the war between Irish and Italian gangsters, caused by the Jewish crook Bernie. The crook's affectionate sister Verna is the mistress of Leo, who is the boss of the Irish gang, who consequently opposes to have him killed by the Italians. But Tom Reagan, the old mate of Leo, has different plans......



The story is extremely interesting, exciting, entertaining. There are no flaws in the development of the plot, despite its complications (a homage to the intricate classic film-noirs of the Golden Age). The script is sharp, cynical, sarcastic, full of memorable lines and of black sense of humor, with many delightful subtleties: the celebrated Coens wit at its best. The photography is magnificent and very original. The music is great. The action scenes are superbly filmed.Violence explodes suddenly and unexpectedly. The finale is perfect and splendidly crowns the movie.

In my modest opinion, this film is the Coen Brothers's greatest achievement to date, even greater than Fargo. Movie buffs are finally "discovering" Miller's Crossing, an underground masterpiece that has dwelt in obscurity for so many years.

The movie is probably not for those who want something with mile-a-minute pacing, crashes and explosions. I would say Miller's Crossing is the thinking person’s gangster movie. It needs repeated viewing and you continue to find more in it the more you watch it. If that describes you, I think you'll like it.

Happy Weekend!!!