Miller’s Crossing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hat-obsessed dude juggles warring gangsters and a complicated love life, ultimately deciding that ‘ethics’ is just a fancy word for ‘who can I double-cross next?’

🍿 Miller’s Crossing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Mob War Brewing

In an unnamed city during Prohibition, Leo O’Bannon, an Irish mob boss, finds himself in conflict with Johnny Caspar, an Italian gangster, over Bernie Bernbaum, a bookie cheating Caspar. Leo, involved with Bernie’s sister Verna, refuses to hand Bernie over, despite advice from his trusted advisor, Tom Reagan. This sets the stage for a brewing gang war and divided loyalties.

Tom’s Double Game

Tom navigates the dangerous landscape, owing gambling debts and secretly involved with Verna. He attempts to play both sides, offering advice to Leo while also engaging with Caspar. His actions become increasingly suspect, blurring the lines of allegiance as the conflict intensifies.

Miller’s Crossing: A Test of Loyalty

To prove his loyalty to Caspar, Tom is tasked with killing Bernie at Miller’s Crossing, a secluded forest. However, Tom secretly allows Bernie to live, firing shots to deceive Caspar’s men. This act sets off a chain of events involving betrayals, blackmail, and escalating violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Reagan (Gabriel Byrne): A complex and calculating advisor to a crime boss, Tom navigates shifting loyalties with a detached demeanor and hidden motives.
• Leo (Albert Finney): The aging Irish mob boss is confident and protective of his mistress and her brother, leading to conflicts with his advisor and rival.
• Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito): The ruthless Italian mob boss is ambitious and insistent on eliminating his enemies, sparking a violent gang war.
• Verna (Marcia Gay Harden): The complex woman is the mistress of Leo and has a relationship with Tom while manipulating both for her brother’s safety.
• Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro): The double-crossing bookie is the catalyst for the gang war and desperately tries to survive by manipulating those around him.
• Eddie Dane (J.E. Freeman): As Johnny Caspar’s intimidating right-hand man, Eddie is fiercely loyal and suspicious of everyone else.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom Reagan: “Nobody knows anybody. Not that well.” – Reflects Tom’s cynical view of human relationships and the limits of understanding others.
• Johnny Caspar: “I’m talking about friendship. I’m talking about character. I’m talking about–hell, Leo, I ain’t embarrassed to use the word–ethics.” – Ironically stated as Caspar justifies his desire to kill Bernie, highlighting the twisted moral code of the gangsters.
• Bernie Bernbaum: “Look in your heart!” – Bernie’s desperate plea to Tom as he begs for his life at Miller’s Crossing, just before Tom executes him.
• Tom Reagan: “What heart?” – Tom’s cold response to Bernie’s plea, underscoring his detached and ruthless nature.
• Tom Reagan: “You run this town because people think you run it. If they stop thinking it, you stop running it.” – Tom’s attempt to make Leo see the shifting power dynamics and the importance of perception in maintaining control.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,080,409
• Worldwide Gross: $5,080,409

💥 Miller’s Crossing Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Miller’s Crossing’ for the first time and being completely blown away. The Coen brothers created a world that felt both familiar and totally unique. Gabriel Byrne’s Tom Reagan is such a compelling anti-hero, and the way he navigates all the double-crosses kept me on the edge of my seat. That scene in Miller’s Crossing itself, with John Turturro begging for his life? Chilling. And the ‘Danny Boy’ scene? Absolute cinematic gold. This movie just oozes style, and it’s one I revisit again and again because there’s always something new to appreciate.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gangster films”
  • “Lovers of neo-noir movies”
  • “People who enjoy complex plots and character studies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate the Coen Brothers’ unique style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief sensuality”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “The Coen brothers deliver a stylish and intricate gangster tale, rich with memorable characters and snappy dialogue. While the plot may be dense, the film’s atmosphere and performances create a compelling and immersive experience.
• Variety: “A complex and visually stunning gangster film, ‘Miller’s Crossing’ showcases the Coens’ unique filmmaking style. Gabriel Byrne’s stoic performance is a standout, leading a talented cast through a web of shifting loyalties and brutal violence. The impeccable production design and soundtrack makes it the best of the Coen brothers’ works.
• Los Angeles Times: “Miller’s Crossing captivates with its stylized take on the gangster genre, filled with memorable characters and sharp dialogue. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and morality, all set against a backdrop of violence and betrayal. Although the plot can be convoluted, the overall effect is highly engaging.

Audience Reactions

The witty dialogue and unpredictable plot twists kept viewers engaged from beginning to end.: Viewers loved the film’s dark humor and complex characters, praising the Coen brothers’ unique storytelling style.

Albert Finney’s portrayal of Leo and the explosive ‘Danny Boy’ scene were universally praised.: The film’s stylized violence and intricate plot made it a standout in the gangster genre.

Overall Consensus: A highly stylized and intricate gangster film that continues to be praised for its complex characters, witty dialogue, and unique storytelling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Coen brothers suffered writer’s block while writing Miller’s Crossing. They took a three-week break and wrote Barton Fink, a film about a writer with writer’s block.”
• “The name of Tom Regan’s residence is ‘The Barton Arms.’ In one of the newspapers, an article reads ‘Seven Dead in Hotel Fire,’ another reference to Barton Fink.”
• “The film is considered a pastiche of the gangster genre, drawing heavily from Dashiell Hammett’s novels Red Harvest and The Glass Key.”

🖥️ How to Watch Miller’s Crossing?

Miller’s Crossing is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for possible television airings. Unfortunately, this film is currently unavailable on popular streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Check your local library for the possibility of a DVD copy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Miller’s Crossing, you might like these similar films:

• The Godfather (1972): Both films explore the complex dynamics of organized crime, family loyalty, and power struggles.
• The Glass Key (1942): Miller’s Crossing is loosely based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Glass Key, sharing a similar plot of shifting alliances and moral ambiguity.
• Road to Perdition (2002): A more modern gangster film that shares the thematic focus on loyalty, betrayal, and the complex relationships within a criminal organization.
• Chinatown (1974): Neo-noir film set in the 1930’s, that like Miller’s Crossing has violence, complex characters and a complicated plot.

🛒 Miller’s Crossing Related Products

• Miller’s Crossing (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A restored Blu-ray edition from Criterion Collection featuring behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and essays, providing deeper insights into the film’s making.
• The Coen Brothers Collection (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Miller’s Crossing) [Blu-ray]: This collection features three of the Coen Brothers’ most iconic films, including Miller’s Crossing, in high-definition Blu-ray format. Offers hours of entertainment.
• Fedora Hat – Classic Gangster Style: A stylish fedora hat reminiscent of the ones worn by the characters in ‘Miller’s Crossing’. It’s crafted from high-quality materials for a vintage look and comfortable fit.
• Prohibition Era Whiskey Glasses Set: A set of vintage-inspired whiskey glasses that evoke the Prohibition era. Perfect for enjoying your favorite spirits in style, reminiscent of the film’s setting.

🎧 Soundtrack

Miller’s Crossing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Danny Boy” – performed by Frank Patterson
• “Rags, Bottles, and Bones” – performed by Elizabeth Laprelle
• “King Porter Stomp” – performed by Jelly Roll Morton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Steve Buscemi on the Coen Brothers

Hop into the mind of one of the most distinctive actors as he delves deep into his experiences collaborating with the iconic Coen Brothers. From the sets of Miller’s Crossing to other cinematic gems, this interview is a fascinating journey into the creative genius of both parties involved.

The Directors Who Mastered The Art Of The Minor Character

Uncover the secrets behind the Coen Brothers’ knack for bringing life to unforgettable minor characters. Through insightful analysis, this video highlights their skill in creating depth and impact with limited screen time, a technique that shines in Miller’s Crossing.

You Know It’s the Coen Brothers IF…

Get ready for a deep dive into the signature elements that make a Coen Brothers film. This video decodes their directorial DNA, revealing the recurring motifs, quirky characters, and visual aesthetics that have become synonymous with their cinematic universe.

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