Miller's Crossing: A Deep Dive with Ari Aster on the Coen Brothers' Gangster Film

The Coen Brothers' Gangster Homage

• 🎬 Miller's Crossing is discussed as a knotty homage to the gangster genre, praised for its memorable characters and witty dialogue.
• 🎩 The film's visual starting point is identified as the hats and long coats, with the hat itself becoming a significant, though ultimately meaningless, symbol.
• 🤝 The Coen Brothers' early career trajectory is examined, noting how films like Blood Simple and Raising Arizona led to the scale of Miller's Crossing.

Character and Performance

• 👤 Gabriel Byrne as Tom Reagan is highlighted as a stoic, enigmatic protagonist whose motivations are central to the film's mystery.
• 🎭 John Turturro's performance as Bernie Bernbaum is lauded as a standout, showcasing a complex blend of vulnerability and menace.
• 🌟 Albert Finney's portrayal of Leo is described as a warm-blooded sweetheart, a contrast to the often colder characters in gangster films.
• 💼 Jon Polito is celebrated as a great actor, particularly for his role as Johnny Caspar, with a discussion of his casting journey.

Thematic and Stylistic Elements

• 🗣️ The film's dialogue is noted for its musicality and rhythm, drawing comparisons to Dashiell Hammett and Howard Hawks.
• 🎩 The significance of hats is explored, not as symbolic representations, but as communicators of status, respect, and vulnerability within the film's world.
• 🤝 The central tension is framed around the concept of gentlemanly behavior within crime and the potential for breaking those codes.
• 🇮🇪 The use of Irish accents, particularly by Gabriel Byrne, is discussed as a choice that enhances his character's outsider status.

Influences and Comparisons

• 📚 Dashiell Hammett is identified as the primary literary inspiration, influencing the plot structure and character archetypes.
• 🎬 Comparisons are made to other gangster films of 1990, including Goodfellas and The Godfather Part III, with Miller's Crossing seen as a more stately and painterly tribute.
• 🎭 The film's visual style, particularly its use of color and camera movement, is contrasted with earlier Coen Brothers films and later works.

Behind the Scenes and Reception

• ✍️ The Coen Brothers' writing process is described, including periods of writer's block and the decision to write Barton Fink to overcome plot complexities in Miller's Crossing.
• 🎬 The film's initial box office performance is discussed, noting it was seen as a flop despite a modest budget and critical acclaim.
• 🌟 The film's enduring legacy is affirmed, with its status as a successful tribute to classic gangster films and filmmaking styles.
• 🎬 The discussion touches on the Coen Brothers' directorial style, their use of specific actors, and their approach to tone and visual storytelling.