Saturday, 31 July 2010

Miller's Crossing

"What's the rumpus?". I love the dialogue in this film. The way the characters interact with each other and the language they use is incredibly satisfying. Sitting down to watch it with a large glass or three of caramel vodka (strange but true - and delicious) I found myself drinking in the movie too. Hadn't seen it in ages so it was like being reunited with an old friend as this has always been one of my favourite films. Can't believe it's 20 year's old though. What a great year 1990 was, with this and Goodfellas both being released then.

I adore the Coen brothers and I still think this is my favourite of theirs - though Fargo runs it close (memo to self, must watch Fargo again soon). Gangsters, dames, Tommy guns, bizarre character names - what's not to love? Oh and the bit where Albert Finney pops his slippers on before seeing off some bad dudes to the strains of 'Danny Boy' is a thing of beauty. The score by Carter Burwell provides a perfect antidote to all the violence and double crossing too, it's lush and warm and lovely. Shame they used if for a Caffreys advert.

A small list of things I thought whilst watching this:

1 - I can't think of any other good films that Gabriel Byrne has been in.
2 - It feels like a book as a film as a book. That makes sense in my head. Stupid head.
3 - I wish I was man enough to drink Whisky like they do in this. Can't bear it neat.
4 - People worry too much about the significance of the hat. Don't worry about the hat.

I like ending things with a small list. I might start trying to introduce that into everyday life, like awkward phone conversations or visits to the supermarket cheese counter.
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2 comments:

  1. The Taxi Driver31 July 2010 at 19:45

    I think the hat is simply a symbol of desmasculinization. Hitchcock did the exact same thing in Foreign Corrospondant. And you may be right, Byrne isn't really in many great movies despite the fact that he's a very good actor. Of course fans of The Usual Suspects would want us hung for saying so.

    I like this movie but don't love it and the reason is because it seems to be a movie about gangster movies as opposed to a throwback like some people think it is. It's too self-indulgent as if the movie stops for the Coen bros. to wink at the camera, showing how clever they are like the shootout with Albert Finney or the very strange shoot-out scene with Sam Raimi. It just kills the mood and keeps it held back from being a truely unquie homage.

    Good review though.

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  2. Fletch7 August 2010 at 10:16

    I think your review is better!

    I don't get the 'self-indulgent' claims that are lobbed at this movie though (by lots of people to be fair). I just think the Coen's have a very clear vision of how their odd little story should be brought to the screen.

    Thanks for dropping by Mike. Appreciate it... :)

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