Miller's Crossing

Miller’s Crossing is a handsome movie about men in hats. So speaketh the directors, so be the truth. Directed by the Coen brothers in the 1990s Miller’s Crossing has become something of a lost gem. Despite the Coen’s incredible body of work I personally think this is there best film.

The story takes place in an unnamed East American city in the 20s/30s. It concerns a man called Tom Reagen (played by Gabriel Byrne) who is the right hand man of Irish Mobster Leo (Albert Finney).

When Leo refuses to play ball with the head of a rival Italian gang Johnny Casper, Tom find himself failing to keep the peace between the two factions. After getting disowned by Leo over a woman Tom starts to play the escalating mob war to his benefit.

While all that may sound like your average gangster the Coen's inject the decidedly genre movie with a pure distillation of what makes their movies so magical. For a start the plot is suitably Machiavellian, and requires a few rewatches to understand what is going on, and aided by some of the Coen’s best dialogue delivered by the finest set of actors they have ever assembled.

While the script lacks the sheer outlandishness of films like Hudsucker, or the vibrant wit of The Big Lebowski, it all feels wonderfully natural and relies more on the performance given than the quality of the quotage. There is also the fact that the dialouge is a reflection of the nature of the film, a heightend but gentle spoof of the genre as a whole

The film is also blessed with stunning cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld and a beautiful score by Carter Burwell. There are several excellent set pieces. In fact one set piece involving an attempt on Leo’s life was recently referenced in Quentin Tarantion’s Kill Bill.


Miller’s Crossing is a beautiful movie, as stated before the cinematography especially in the forest scenes is stunning, blessed with lyrical dialogue and nuanced performances.

In a lot of ways it is like watching a folktale being told. It has an ethereal charm and moments which are wonderfully Absurdist, such as the Sam Raimi’s cameo, which give it a distinct tall tale feel.

Well worth a watch and for the discerning Coen fan this is absolutely vital cinema

10/10