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Anecdotage's avatar

A film I deeply respect but didn't love. The perfect Gabriel Brynne vehicle. Most of the great gangster films tell you that they're about big ideas like ethics, loyalty, and honor and they signal whose side to be on. But I felt fairly confused and adrift in Miller's Crossing, where pretty much everyone is wrong. I was just saying I should give this a rewatch and see if I can appreciate it more, cuz it's been well over 10 years.

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Daniel Moran's avatar

Feeling adrift is an interesting phrase: it's certainly what Tom feels (at a breakneck pace) as he tries to piece things together. And yes, everyone is wrong in some way, but Tom the least so, like how Don Corleone is "wrong" (he's a gangster) but in the world of The Godfather, he's the one we get behind. Definitely worth a rewatch; you might have a different experience, which happens to me all the time. Thanks for reading!

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Albert Cory's avatar

..somehow or other, I've heard of this movie but never seen it.

As I said in my Roger Ebert post last night: before seeing a movie, I don't read the reviews except to decide to see it. AFTER, then I read. So I'll be watching this one.

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Daniel Moran's avatar

Glad to hear that someone will watch this based on the post! It's such a great movie.

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A Day For Clouds's avatar

Great pod and post.

Best description of Miller's Crossing was something i read years ago....a beautiful movie about men in hats.

Favorite line:

"You are a millionaire, you gonna remember your friends?"

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Daniel Moran's avatar

Ha! Thank you so much for reading and listening!

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Kevin Cummins's avatar

"You gave me the High Hat!"(acting like the Pope?).

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Daniel Moran's avatar

I never heard that it meant that--just that it meant acting snobby or too big for one's britches. But there has to be a dictionary of idioms I can search ... who knows?

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Kevin Cummins's avatar

Yes,I have seen similar definitions out there.That mitre can be pretty big though(ha ha).

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Adam's avatar

Is Tom unique among Coens’ protagonists in that he is the character who most understands (and controls to a certain degree) what is going on?

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Daniel Moran's avatar

That’s a very good point. I think you’re right. Maybe Mattie Ross is a close second. Thanks for reading!

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Bob OBrien's avatar

The same plot was used in a 40s Alan Ladd movie. Coens added the ethnics and a hefty dose of realism, especially in the dialogue, it ain’t all gravy being the boss. The ending saddens me, I liked the characters so much.

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Jan 6
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Daniel Moran's avatar

He's a great one. I'm going to write about his memoir soon--watch this space!

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