Miller's Crossing (1990)

I like to compare the Coen Bros. to Howard Hawks. Both directors have taken on completely different genres almost every single time, and both do so with great success. This is, in some ways, more admirable than the more artistic auteurs out there. Despite working in many different genres, their individual style is always apparent through their deft direction, witty dialogue, and the general atmosphere their talent lends to the film.

Miller's Crossing is the Coen Bros. take on the 1930's-era Gangster film, though it probably shares more in common with film noir from the 1940's and 50's. There are many different characters with their own allegiances, double-crossings, a dangerous woman, shadows, smoke and a hell of a lot of fedoras. I think that the hat itself is a great motif, and might have a ton of significance if I were to watch it again and try to analyze it all. Obviously, the opening and the scene where Tom dreams he loses his hat. Also, if you pay attention, there's plenty of hat activity around, they're tossed aside, taken off, put back on, blown away, knocked off of heads. It's probably completely obvious, but I didn't start noticing it until late in the film.

The acting is great, all around. Really no complaints, as Byrne carries the film well, and the rest of the gangsters all handle their roles with gusto. I've always liked John Turturro, and he turns in a great performance here, in the few scenes he's a part of. Marcia Gay Harden didn't do as good a job as the rest of the cast did, but I'm awfully picky about my femme fatales, no matter how 'fatale' they may or may not be.

I thought Miller's Crossing was awesome. I'm really starting to warm up to the Coen Bros., so they'd better bring something new out very soon.