Miller's Crossing (Joel Coen, 1990)

Should surely be considered unlucky to have been released in the same year as Goodfellas. Miller's Crossing is the Coen Brothers best movie to date. This is nothing short of a cinematographic masterpiece, one which explores the successes of two warring 'families' during the Prohibiton Era and how varying degrees of loyalty, love and friendship serve to bring about strategic chaos for both sides. Tommy-Gun dialogue, a wonderful script backed up by a directing clinic add up to a twisted, laconic and violent wiseguy epic which can stand up against the best films in the genre. The Coen's film noirs play on the phrase 'all is fair in love and war' they excel in their depiction of this theme. The quips are razor sharp and this is a film which effortlessly warrants multiple viewings. The acting is first-rate with Finney, Byrne and Turturro mesmeric. In and around my ten top films since I first saw it premiere on television in 1993, I really cannot recommend this gem highly enough. J.E. Freeman's Dutchman is another of the classic Coens' characters. Cruel but fair, he serves his boss with unerring loyalty and deadly precision while refusing to pity the fools. *****