As we reach the third week of the first ‘Filmography Friday’ I am becoming very happy that I chose to delve into the Coen’s filmography. It was always going to be a safe bet. They are a critically acclaimed directing duo, and I had a prior knowledge of a good portion of their films. However, little did I know just how much I would enjoy the films that I hadn’t yet seen. ‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990) is one of those films. And it already had a leg up as I was in a very good mood before I sat down to watch it, and if you read my review last week you will know that I put down part of the reason I didn’t enjoy ‘Raising Arizona’ (1987) as I had before was down to my low mood. However, I did not expect to love ‘Miller’s Crossing’ as much as I did. The film follows Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne) who finds himself embroiled in a war between two crime bosses. In order to keep the peace, he must juggle loyalties and put his own life at risk.
So yeah, this film is bloody incredible, and I loved it. I think it probably goes without saying even at this very early point into the filmography of the Coen’s, but the film is brilliantly directed. Every shot and every cut is perfectly executed in creating the desired emotional reaction of each scene. And it is a film that runs the gamut of emotion, from genuine tension to belly laughs. But it is just perfectly pitched in every shot choice, but it does it in a subtle way so that you don’t really even notice it is managing to create such heightened emotion through the direction. There is only one moment I can think of where the shot choice jumped out as me as being more in your face and slightly odd, but it fits into the scene and to be honest, I am clutching at straws even mentioning it. The film is a visual treat in regard to the mise en scene, sets and costumes as well. This may be more of a personal preference, but I love the look of prohibition-era America with the three-piece suits and the Ford Coupe style cars, and with this film being a gangster film set in the 1920s you better believe it is chock full. But it is even in the little details that go into the sets that make the word that the film inhabits feel real and lived in while also managing to be visually engaging. One of the things that really sets this film apart are the performances. Gabriel Byrne is superb in the lead role and manages to carry so much of the narrative brilliantly, but he is also surrounded by brilliant performances. Whether that be Tom Finney, John Turturro, Jon Polito, Marcia Gay Harden, the list could go on. Each and every performance is fantastic throughout and I can’t praise them enough.
What really made me love this film as much as I did was the script and narrative. Of course, you need great performances to deliver great dialogue but holy hell if this script isn’t just brilliant. It is so quick-witted, and each conversation holds so much weight that you are always engaged in what is happening. I was hanging on every word the entre runtime and I can’t remember the last time I was that fully engaged in a film’s dialogue. And, as I mentioned earlier, it is also a funny script. That might not be totally surprising as the Coen’s are very capable of writing comedy, which they showed in the film just prior to this one. But with this film taking on a much different tone to ‘Raising Arizona’ I was surprised how much genuine comedy was able to make it through while also managing to create a completely tense atmosphere. Now, I won’t lie and say that the film is easy to follow from start to finish. There are a lot of characters who we are introduced to and a lot of moving parts within the narrative which did mean that I was sometimes questioning exactly what was going on. But huge credit to the film that it managed to answer each of these questions by the end of the film and did so in a satisfying and compelling way. When films have complicated narrative such as this one you can sometimes find yourself with questions still unanswered by the end, but no such issue here.
I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a film this much. Genuinely, I can’t think of the last time I was this engaged and engrossed in a narrative, so much so that I almost pissed myself because I didn’t want to go to the toilet. I saw this at home and was able to pause it, but I was just that involved that I didn’t want to disturb the flow. It is easily sitting pretty at the top of the Coen’s leader board right now. I know we are only three films in so that isn’t exactly saying a huge amount but remember I have seen a good chunk of these films already and for my money, right now I don’t see one that tops it. Of course, time will tell, and I don’t want to cement it as the best when have so many other films yet to see, but I am sure it will be up there by the end. Obviously, I am recommending it. I am a bit annoyed it didn’t get recommended to me sooner.
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