Joel and Ethan Coen became cult heroes on the strength of the laconic 1984 noir riff Blood Simple and the 1987 hayseed caper comedy Raising Arizona, but they ran into trouble while working out the labyrinthine plot of their 1990 gangster picture Miller's Crossing. "Miller's Crossing" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of Stargate: Atlantis. The plot is pretty dense and there's lots of dialog. Miller’s Crossing draws heavily from the plot of Dashiell Hammett’s 1931 crime masterpiece, ‘The Glass Key’, in which slick, smart-mouthed underworld operator Ned Beaumont places his neck on the line for his boss and retainer Paul Madvig. Miller’s Crossing pays homage to the crime novels of Dashiell Hammett and crime films of the 1930s. But as in the work of that pulp master, the plot’s not the point. ... As for the plot, the Coens found inspiration in the classic samurai … Down is up. I watched this film quite a bit when I was young and admittedly found the plot utterly confusing. In Hammett, the plot is like a big jigsaw puzzle that can be seen in the background. Learn more Just as this threat erupts, Leo and Tom have a falling out over the same woman. Tom Reagan and Verna were main characters of "Miller's Crossing," names that I suspect were tributes to Regan and Velma of Chandler novels. Miller’s Crossing , like all movies that are more than simple entertainments (such as the much better film Gosford Park ), really need to be seen more than once. They seemed to be around for the Coen brothers to ply them with witty lines and have them act quirky. ‘Miller’s Crossing’ is my fourth favorite movie; behind ‘Star Trek II,’ ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ and ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ all of which I have written lists about already.So, a fairly eclectic list of favorite movies. Leo is the benevolent Irish gangster and political boss who rules an Easter city with the help of Tom, his trusted lieutenant and counselor. Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro, Jon Polito and J. E. Freeman star in a new film by Joel and Ethan Coen. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.215.115.31 ( talk ) 21:56, 9 July 2014 (UTC) Cinematic Influences [ edit ] “Miller’s Crossing” also features the most prominent LGBTQ characters in any Coens movie. The second is the scene when Tom takes Bernie out to Miller’s Crossing to be killed as Bernie begs him to “look into your heart” and spare him. Screenwriter must-read: Joel and Ethan Coen’s screenplay for Miller’s Crossing . The plot of Miller’s Crossing would take more space than I have here to explain. Visually, the film holds up with other Coen Brother films in terms of its style, which includes elaborate set designs, costumes, landscapes, etc. I can pay the film's script no higher praise than to note it has been referenced by my Guardian colleagues Andy Bull and Rob … In this sense, Miller’s Crossing has much more in common with the gangster films of the 30s than it does with those made in the late 80s and early 90s. 6 Screenwriting Tips from Writing Duo Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg November 24, 2020; What to Expect from Your Manager, Agent and Lawyer November 12, 2020; Why Passion is Essential to Your Screenwriting Career November 6, 2020; The Great Screenwriters: David Williamson November 3, 2020; Sean Connery’s Top 10 Roles (that aren’t James Bond) November 1, 2020 Set in 1929 in an unnamed Eastern city, "Miller's Crossing" is the compelling story of the friendship between Leo, the local political boss, … It may make some internal sense, but the momentum of the characters is more important.’ —Miller’s Crossing production notes. But the most memorable moment of this movie is the shot of Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne's character) floating through the forest on a breeze. Killing Bernie finally puts the nail in coffin of Tom's relationship with Verna. Earn 125 points on every ticket you buy. March 11, 2008 Up there with the Coen brothers' finest work. But because the film is so heavy on plot, it loses focus on the characters and it becomes increasingly difficult to care about them. Film4. Rack up 500 points and you'll score a $5 reward for more movies. Buy Movies. Tom, caught in the jaws of a gangland violent outcome. Visually, the film is magnificent and eye-catching. A step up in scale from the first two Coen films in every way, Miller's Crossing is a cracker of a gangster movie with enough of its Daschiel Hammet influences on display to give it some noir-ish bite. The iconic opening dream sequence pictures Tom's hat blowing to the ground where it rests momentarily before it being blown along a path in the woods at Miller's Crossing - a place at which pivotal events take place. Miller's Crossing was a throwback to the gangster films set in the 1930s, and tells the story of a right-hand man to an Irish mob boss whose loyalty is put to the test during a gang war. Miller’s Crossing is a lush recreation of the period gangster film, invigorated by some fine performances, a devilish plot and sprinkled with some macabre touches that could only come from the minds of … 88/100 "Maybe that's why I like you, Tom. Miller's Crossing is a film containing characters of the gangster genre occupying a noir-style world. Up is down. Every single character in this big cast sings. Miller's Crossing dreams a beaut... Full Review. Miller’s Crossing is certainly not a perfect film, but it is a fine film—far better than almost all the movies that have ever been made. McKay's attempts to rescue happens to get him captured as well. Fandango FANALERT® Sign up for a FANALERT® and be the first to know when tickets and other exclusives are available in your area. It may make some internal sense, but the momentum of the characters is more important.’” —Miller’s Crossing Production Notes The Coen Brothers interviewed. At Bernie's funeral Leo tries to get Tom to come back, but Tom refuses. [The Coens] present it in such a clean, efficient manner that, unlike so many other genre pastiches, the plot machinations never bog it down. ENTER CITY, STATE OR ZIP CODE GO. Miller's Crossing. It's a dream that haunts Tom - the central character of Miller's Crossing. The real world impinges on the movie only by accident. ''Miller's Crossing'' means to be fun both for the uninitiated and for those who are hip to the conventions of the genre that is being recalled. There are epic gangster shootouts (including the incredible Danny Boy scene). Miller's Crossing is an example of conspicuously lazy directing. In Hammett, the plot is like a big jigsaw puzzle that can be seen in the background. Miller’s Crossing involves gangsters from several ethnic backgrounds, a melting pot of crime; Irish, Italian and Jewish, maneuvering for control in a prohibition era medium size and unnamed city. Characters are constantly double-crossing one another. As the plot progressed, I noticed a similarity to the plot of Hammett’s novel “The Glass Key.” Miller's Crossing might, in its way, be the most important movie in the Coen brother's canon, but for me, at least, it also ranks as one of the most frustrating. In the opening scene, an extended homage to that of “The Godfather,” Polito’s Mafia boss Johnny Caspar asks permission to kill double-crossing bookie Bernie Bernbaum (Turturro). Miller's Crossing Plot summary ... Bernie again begs for his life, but Tom is a different man than he was back in Miller's Crossing and kills Bernie. But their control of the town is challenged by an over-reaching Italian underboss and his ruthless henchman. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Miller's Crossing Tom Reagan (Byrne) has been the longtime lieutenant of Irish mob boss Leo (Finney), but when Leo gets into a feud with rival crime boss Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito), Reagan tries to keep the peace and apparently joins Caspar's team. ‘Miller’s Crossing’ (R) By Desson Howe Washington Post Staff Writer ... "Crossing" is the kind of movie that benefits from a second sitting, to get a complete grip on the plot. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing Miller's Crossing near you. Miller's Crossing is a 1990 American neo-noir gangster film written, directed and produced by the Coen brothers and starring Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, John Turturro, Jon Polito, J. E. Freeman, and Albert Finney.The plot concerns a power struggle between two rival gangs and how the protagonist, Tom Reagan (Byrne), plays both sides against each other. 1 Synopsis 2 Plot 3 Appearances 4 Notable Quotes 5 Notes 6 In other languages 7 External links Dr. Rodney McKay's sister, Jeannie Miller is kidnapped by Henry Wallace, who wants her to rewrite nanite coding to save his daughter's life. The central character is a fedora wearing eminence grise to the Irish crime/political boss, Leo. Get Movies. I've never met anyone who made being a son of a bitch such a point of pride." It never fully convinces in terms of either period or plot. Miller's Crossing Arguably the best film by Joel and Ethan Coen, the 1990 Miller's Crossing stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom, a loyal lieutenant of a crime boss named Leo (Albert Finney) who is in a Prohibition-era turf war with his major rival, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). Recent Posts. 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