I Suppose You Think You Raised Hell: Miller's Crossing

Miller's Crossing (1990)

“Is there a point - or are you just brushing up on your small talk?” Tom Reagan

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 first scene discusses "honor among thieves" as underboss Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) requests permission from chief thug Leo O'Bannion (Albert Finney - Tom Jones) to whack his bookie Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro).

While the very idea that these guys are going to play fair and square with each other is absurd, the scene sets up the whole dynamic of the story. It’s a nameless Midwestern city with Irish mobs and Italian mobs. At the moment, the Irish are ascendant. Leo is strong but stupid, while he is backed by a lieutenant with brains but not much muscle, Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne). Caspar is backed by the fearsome thug The Dane, also pretty smart, but tough.

Leo refuses Caspar’s request, refusing to name a reason. He’s schtupping Bernie’s sister surreptitiously. Tom Reagan tries to get him to reconsider his arbitrary refusal but Leo dismisses Caspar and Caspar storms out after telling off Leo. Reagan tells Leo to think about what it’s going to cost to protect Bernie. Then he goes off to schtupp Bernie's sister himself, surreptitiously.

Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), the lady in question, is a femme fatale after the old manner. Stupid Leo is willing to risk a gang war in return for her favors, which she will withhold if he allows Caspar to whack her brother. No wonder they called women twists in those old gangster movies. What follows is a complicated set of twists and turns that ultimately proves there is no honor among thieves. At the center of the maelstrom is Byrne as the guy who "sees all the angles" and knows a grift when he sees one.

The story is well-written with sharp dialog that crackles. The Coen brothers either unearthed or created some lingo especially for the movie. The bookie is the “schmarta;” guys are “yeggs;” if they want you to leave, they tell you to “dangle;” when meeting, they greet each other, “where’s the rumpus?” All of these unfamiliar lines are delivered with utmost believability by the blue ribbon cast. At the time, most of them were not well known, although several have become prominent since Miller's Crossing.

Gabriel Byrne as Tom, probably his best performance; Jon Polito as Caspar, John Turturro as the Schmarta, Marcia Gay Harden as Verna, Albert Finney - the most famous of the cast - was Leo; Steve Buscemi as Mink. All the other yeggs and twists were played brilliantly, mainly by unknowns.

The direction is crisp and keeps the story moving. There are many great camera set-ups and angles featuring magnificent color cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld. The majestic score is by Carter Burwell. Although there is plenty of action, the pacing seems unhurried because of the great dialog scenes. You will probably want to watch it several times to absorb just what is being said.

The Fox DVD is presented in color, in 1.85:1 theatrical format, with a 115 minute running time. There is a featurette and cast interviews included as extra features. Miller's Crossing is also available on VHS from Fox.

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 bears 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.

Thanks for reading!