Classic Movie Pick: ‘Miller’s Crossing’ Is The Forgotten About But Amazing Mob Movie 

Recently on “Nite Lite,” I had a discussion with a guest about the mafia. Naturally, we delved into gangster films but for whatever reason, I never brought up one of my all-time favorites, which is “Miller’s Crossing” by the Coen brothers. It doesn’t often get mentioned or even necessarily thought of as one of the best mob films when the subject comes up, but it most definitely is. 

Gabriel Byrne plays Tom Reagan, a cunning and well-respected consigliere to Irish mob boss Leo O’Bannon played by Albert Finney. Leo leans on Tom for advice on how to stay in power as gang wars are heating up in the city. Tom’s love interest, Verna, played by Marcia Gay Harden complicates things, creating a dangerous love triangle.

Despite what you just heard in that clip, Tom is thoughtful, measured, and at least professionally, very loyal to Leo even to the point where he would have Leo believe he is not and risk being ostracized.

Surrounding Byrne, Finney and Gay Harden are some outstanding actors and Coen brother regulars who complete the cast, including Steve Buscemi, John Turturro and John Polito who plays Leo’s adversary, Johnny Caspar. The cast delivers some of the best and most stylized dialogue the Coen brothers have ever written.

There is even an uncredited appearance by Oscar winner Francis McDormand as a secretary and a cameo by Coen brothers friend and critically acclaimed director Sam Raimi (“Spider-man,” “Evil Dead”) who gets shot full of holes during a gang battle. 

Joel and Ethan Coen made the 1984 film “Blood Simple,” which set them on the path to being two of the most respected filmmakers of their time.

“Miller’s Crossing” was the Coen Brothers third film, and follow up to their popular and critically acclaimed “Raising Arizona.” “Miller’s Crossing” was not an easy script to get through for the brothers, at one point, they were suffering horrible writers block and took a three week break and ended up writing “Barton Fink,” which tells the story of a writer suffering from terrible writers block.

In “Miller’s Crossing,” Tom Reagan’s character lives in a building, called The Barton Arms. 

“Miller’s Crossing” has many fun facts surrounding the film. Although Marcia Gay Harden won the role of Verna, she had stiff competition as Julia Roberts, Demi Moore and Jennifer Jason Leigh all auditioned for the role. 

Just like with talent, the Coen’s seem to hit home runs with cinematographers. This was the last film director of photography Barry Sonnenfeld shot for them. Sonnenfeld went onto direct such films as “Men In Black” and left the position of DP open for Roger Deakins, an Oscar winner who still works at the Coens. The film score was composed by the great Carter Burwell, who has done 16 Coen brother movies. 

“Miller’s Crossing” also marks the first time the brothers Coen cast John Turturro and Steve Buscemi who became mainstays in many of their films. 

“Miller’s Crossing,” as with many Coen brothers films, is the result of not only expert writing and directing, but perfect collaboration with other incredible artists and it’s this week’s “classic movie pick of the week.”

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 p.m. to 8 p .m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.