ah, miller’s crossing; the thinking man’s gangster flick. one of my all time favs.

Its set in 1931 and the over the top dialogue and performances are derived from old Hollywood's portrayal of gangsters from that time, like James Cagney and Edward G Robinson. A Coen addict for almost 35 years, This is my most watched Coen movie, and my personal favorite.

I often recommend this film to reactors who are exploring the Coen Brothers. It’s fun and under the radar in their filmography. You’re the first I’ve seen do a reaction to it.

MAN what a shock to see a reaction to this film. This one took a couple watched for me to fully love (you're definitely right about enjoying it more upon rewatch), but I really do love it. Albert Finney is such a fucking boss (especially, of course, in THAT scene) and Gabriel Byrne is such a perfect noir protagonist, somewhat unlikable because of how much of a cynical asshole he is, but he's so cunning and clever, and there really is so much going on under the surface with him. Marcia Gay Harden is also great as Verna, and rather underrated I'd say (plus it was literally her first movie role!). But my favorite two performances from this are definitely Jon Polito and John Turturro. Polito isn't super famous but he is a great character actor who has worked with the Coens a lot (you've seen him as the private detective following The Dude around in The Big Lebowski), and this has got to be my favorite performance of his. Hilariously over the top, like you said. Probably the most high-strung character I've ever seen lmao, he's so fun to watch. This also might be my favorite Turturro performance (only Barton Fink might top it), such a slimey scumbag. The "look in your heart" scene in the forest is so perfect, and when he tries that shit again at the end I lose it every time. I feel like I'm mostly just agreeing with you in a rambly way, but yeah thanks for reacting to this, a wonderful surprise and I'm always surprised how much I connect with your reactions.

Big props to your subscribers for an unconventional request. Did not expect to see someone reacting to this

One of my all time favorite movies. I think you are the first reactor to ever do this movie. Thanks for reacting to it.

I think I’ve watched this more than any other movie. Objectively speaking it’s probably not the best Coen movie, but it hits all the right spots for me. Can’t believe how good they are, and how good these performances all are.

Oh shit! This is legit one of my favorite movies of all time, I never imagined there would be reactions to it!

My favourite Coen Brothers movie, after all these years.

The dialog in this film is just outstanding. Extremely well written flick. And the acting in a movie like this with heavy and stylized dialog has to be wonderful or it falls completely apart. Everyone delivered. The scene as Turtoro is being led into the woods thinking he's gonna get a bullet to the head is just iconic in the dialog and acting. So believable and makes you anxious and uncomfortable along with him. Thanks for your reaction to this. Give it a month and watch it again. You'll still enjoy it as much but probably even more.

I like that detail when Casper is lecturing his driver about shaving and later you can see a little piece of blood-soaked tissue on the driver's face where he's cut himself shaving, obviously what sparked the conversation.

I lost count of how many times I've watched this masterpiece, over 25 at least.

Probably the most underrated of all the Coen Brothers films.

"The old man's an artist with a Thompson!".

Somebody reacted to this masterwork? A KZfaq first, I think. The most complicated script in history; so complicated that the Coens next movie ("Barton Fink") was about writer's block. Which the Coens themselves suffered on the rocky path toward getting Tom to take over Caspar's organization. I recommend people watch the movie with the subtitles on. It's complex, but it rewards close attention.

So glad to see a reaction to this, glad you liked it and yes, it does get better on repeat viewings! I've watched this movie ~20 times and it holds up well to repeat viewings, all the little details and character decisions that connect with prior motivations/future actions. Tommy isn't very likable unless you can dig a rational character; one of my fav things is near the beginning where he tells Leo "no. you do things for a reason" and that really foreshadowed Tommy's character through the rest of the movie. He saw the chess moves three steps farther than most characters; it was the Dane and Bernie who came closest to checkmating him but Tommy bested them in the end by out-thinking their strategies.

Tom's actions are so calculated, everything he did, was in favor of Leo, even him telling him about his affair with Verna, 'cause he knew, he would beat him up in public, and disown him, so he would get his trust of Caspar....

Love the "hat" motif throughout the film. Tommy loses his hat in a card game, Casper talks about people giving him the "high-hat", Tom has a dream about losing his hat, etc

I've seen the Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino, Scarface, Eastern promises, Once upon a time in America et cetera. "Miller's crossing" is the only true gangster movie that I actually like. There's the great characters: The ott Johnny Casper, the cynical Tom Reagan, and the slimy Bernie Bernbaum. The action is so well shot, stylish gun/tommygun fight at Leo's house is one of the best I've seen. The music is understated, yet swells at the right moment. There's an emptiness to the lifestyle and beneath the great dialogue, it becomes apparent that here only grows dead hearts. No matter how loyal you are nothing can protect you from it. To me this movie is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. Besides I really enjoy Gabriel Byrnes acting in particular, the subtlety of it. It's the thinking man's gangster flick like Samantha Nickson comments below. Maybe that's why I love it so much.

The acting in this movie is crazy good. Shame more people haven't seen it. Love the writing too.

Helluva movie…..thanks for posting

Always a flick that I stop and watch no matter how far it is into. Wonderful dialog, wonderful cinematography, wonderful, tight story! 🤘 Thanks for the reaction! 👍

This is still my favorite Joel & Ethan Coen movie, if not so, one of my all time favorite movies! ''Miller's Crossing'' had such a big impact on me when I saw it first in 1990.

My favorite Coens movie. Maybe not their best, but still my favorite.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!.. I'm so excited to watch your reaction!!!

Great Movie. I just found out that The Dane, Monk and Tutturo's character were all gay, had no idea. 32 years later and this movie still revealing more.

Leo taking out those goons on his own is incredible. There's a reason why he's the boss.

First reaction I've seen to this absolute classic! Yes, the characters are often overblown in Coen bros. films, that's a great part of their charm. O' Brother, Where Art Thou is another one that's a real trip of a movie, with that style of exaggerated realism taken to the extreme, but it's awesome!

recommending "Goon" 2011 starring Seann William Scott - funniest hockey movie since "Slap Shot"...also recommending "Slap Shot" 1977

My fave Coen bros. Danny boy scene and Polito stealing scenes. I'm talking about ethics. Just fantastic.

Never seen the movie, but your title made me curious. The reaction was worth it.

Turturro is just so great in every Coen bros movie.

The more I've watched the movie the higher its gotten on my all time favorite list! It's got the big moments but then you pick up the smalker ones that are equally as great. ("The old man's [Leo] still an artist with a Thomson." All the odd lingo - The high hat, what's the rumpus - that's made up but it's said like it's commonplace, a natural part of the world created here. And then you get into the whole symbolism of hats... that's pretty cool.

Also, the name of the city this takes place in is NEVER stated. It's either NYC or Chicago, but we never really know for sure.

Leo’s still an artist with a Thompson.

More people need to get to this movie!

Another great pick! I love this movie!

Not a popular opinion but this is not just one of my favorite Cohen Bros movies, but just one of my favorite movies, period

It's like Dashiell Hammett meets Commando.

This is maybe the closest I'll ever get to an adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's novel Red Harvest (which I know the Coen brothers like because they named Blood Simple after a line from it). Reading it now, it almost seems clichéd, because so many different people have taken plots, characters, and dialogue from it - except it was published in 1929.

EVERYBODY was over the top! Including the philosophical chief of Police.

Superior to Goodfellas. I said it! 👍🏽😎

Underrated movie

Gabriel Byrne is friggin awesome! Great flick! Also check out Trial By Jury

Now you _have_ to do Barton Fink

the dialogue is just too good. Right up there with the best of Dashiel Hammet.

Kind of a remake of The Glass Key, novel by Hammett, movie starring Alan Ladd.

BAR-TON FINK! BAR-TON FINK!

Top 10 Coen Bros movies: The Big Lebowski Fargo Miller's Crossing Raising Arizona No Country for Old Men A Serious Man Inside Llewyn Davis True Grit (2010 film) The Ballad of Buster Scruggs The Man Who Wasn't There

The way they talk is the way the hipsters at the time talked. Think about someone from 50 years fom now watching "Boys in the hood." They'll need a translater.

Hey Jimmy - you have seen The Mist right - Ms. Carmedy (crazy religious lady) played the main female lead in this film and I don't think she has looked better.

Jesus, Tom!

Remember, always put 2 in the head... What heart?

me hat

you need to watch Barton Fink next

I understand why you disliked Tom, but consider this angle… Tom starts off as a semi-bystander in the criminal world. Yes, he's a participant, but literally only as an Advisor to Leo, and it is made clear that he is not a killer. He ain't pure, but that's a line he won't *cross*. He felt enough loyalty (and belated guilt) to tell Leo the truth, and later even spares Bernie. He's trying to do the right thing, but finally has to kill Bernie - which he probably should have done earlier out in the woods, because Bernie was a treacherous rat bastard, and he deserved it. Then Tom has to leave, because (as he tells Leo) he doesn't want to be forgiven - he knows he has done evil, and he deserves to feel guilt. He actually does have a heart, even though he denied it himself.