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Rating: Directed by Joel Coen and written by his brother Ethan, "Miller's Crossing" represents a genre that the two have not revisited in the past. Halfway between noir comedy, gangster, and thriller, the feature film, despite drawing heavily from the first two chapters of "The Godfather" and other illustrious gangster films, is homogeneous and compelling thanks to stylistic ideas guaranteed by the Coen brothers' filmic ability.
Without a shadow of a doubt the most compact and stylistically correct film by the brothers. Everything is in its place, no smudges. Precise and essential direction, sharp and dramatic screenplay at the same time. Binding everything together is the oppressive cinematography of Barry Sonnenfeld, skilled at recreating the atmosphere of the thirties, and the never invasive music of Carter Burwell.
The plot is quite intricate and complex, making it difficult to explain, so I will limit myself to giving general characteristics. The head of the Irish mafia, Leo (Albert Finney), due to the beautiful Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), clashes with his faithful adviser Tom (Gabriel Byrne). Meanwhile, Leo is forced to engage in a war against the powerful representative of the Italian mafia, Johnny (Jon Polito).
The story will change the stakes several times between plot twists and unexpected situations. Through this film (based on a literary work by Dashiell Hammett), the two brothers illustrate the state of widespread criminality that had taken over the United States. Political favors, bets, killings, betrayals, and shootings. Everything is organized at the hands of the criminals. The city, whose name we do not know, is therefore at the mercy of power games that change from one moment to the next.
Miller's Crossing has gained strength over time. Indeed, it has always been the least considered work of the Coen duo despite some excellent ideas. The atmosphere and dialogues typical of black comedy intertwine with purely gangster twists, leading to nocturnal infiltrations worthy of the best vintage thriller.
A round of applause to the enigmatic and mysterious Gabriel Byrne, who however pales in comparison to the suffering of the poor Bernie, played by a brilliant John Turturro.
A tense and deliberately "cold" film, where the typical bourgeois drama is replaced by a formal mannerism that fits well with the dark atmosphere that permeates the entire length of the film.
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