Miller’s Crossing (1990)

Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen. Starring Gabriel Byrne, Jon Polito, Albert Finney, John Turturro, Marcia Gay Harden, J. E. Freeman, Mike Starr, Al Mancini, John McConnell, Steve Buscemi. [R]

Ultra-stylish gangster yarn from the Coen brothers pits rival gangs against each other during the Prohibition era, with moody and inscrutable enforcer Byrne seemingly playing both sides (or just playing himself). Almost seems to take place in an alternate universe, like an American city built upon the principles, attitudes, and accoutrements of pulp crime fiction, and as such, it can’t overcome a faint sense of artificiality at times—the storytelling and dialogue have a tendency to pursue effect over clarity or credibility—but those snappy surface delights tingle at almost every turn, and its richer, earthier themes of morality and code of honor resonate past all the cheap thrills and hard-boiled banter. The dime-store paperback-style period detail, Carter Burwell’s idiosyncratic but lovely theme music, and Barry Sonnenfeld’s dramatic camerawork make it an experience so easy to sink into that it doesn’t even matter when the story ceases making airtight sense. Fine performances throughout the cast, including character actor Polito’s finest hour. Frances McDormand and Sam Raimi cameo; try to spot Finney as an “extra” decked out in women’s clothing!

82/100