Miller’s Crossing (1990) – Directed by Joel Coen

This one is, not only my favorite Coen Brothers film, but also one of my three favorite films of all time so, naturally, I’m going to recommend it as an essential. The film stars Gabriel Byrne as “Tom Reagan”, the trusted sidekick to Albert Finney’s “Leo O’Bannon”, an Irish mob boss who is trying to hold on to his empire. Tom loves his liquor so he isn’t always on top form and this, of course, gets him into trouble with pretty much everyone, from Leo to Verna (Marcia Gay Harden). Verna herself, is having an affair with Tom while with Leo. Meanwhile, Leo’s rival “Johnny Caspar" (Jon Polito) wants Verna’s brother “Bernie Bernbaum” (John Turturro) dead. Leo doesn’t like the idea but Tom tells him he should let it happen to keep the peace otherwise things could go bad. They go bad and how!

For me, the Coen Brothers have made nearly a perfect film. The writing and direction are spot on and Barry Sonnenfeld’s cinematography is simply gorgeous. I rewatched this again recently on Blu-ray (it had been several years since I had seen the movie) and from the second the menu screen popped up and the music (from Carter Burwell) started, I got that feeling in my chest I had when I first watched the movie in the theatre. You know that feeling? That one you get when you really connect with a film and as you’re watching it, you know immediately it is going to become a favorite. I love it, love it, love it! If you’ve never seen it or it has been a while, please do yourself a solid and add it to your Noirvember viewing.