Miller’s Crossing (1990)
91%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 16 nominations
Though possibly more notable for its distinctive style than an airtight story, this Coen brothers take on the classic gangster flick features sharp dialogue, impressive cinematography, and a typically quirky cast of characters.
Miller’s Crossing is a bullet-riddled, gangster flick that’s crackling with quotable dialogue. The Coen brothers’ third film may not have been a box office hit, but it’s a modern classic that’s held up over time. With a handsome new 2K transfer and insightful extras, this film is worth revisiting. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing John Turturro at his best? So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the twisted, brilliantly controlled style that made the Coen brothers famous. Just don’t forget to watch your back in case any gangsters come knocking.
Production Company(ies)
Canal+ España Canal+ La Fabrique 2
Distributor
Fox, 20th Century Fox
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
619 Gravier Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1990
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby SR
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 54m
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Language(s):English, Italian, Irish, Gaelic, Yiddish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 1990 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2007
Genre(s)
Crime/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, Jon Polito, John Turturro, J.E Freeman, directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, crime, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Budd Wilkins, Owen Gleiberman, Variety Staff, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Peter Travers, Geoff Andrew, Quentin Crisp, James Kendrick, Matt Brunson, Aaron Neuwirth, Chris Barsanti, Peter Sobczynski, R rating, Fox, 20th Century Fox, produced by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, sound mix, surround, Dolby SR
Worldwide gross: $5,080,409
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,712,321
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,918
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,277,243
US/Canada gross: $5,080,409
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $11,712,321
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,570
US/Canada opening weekend: $28,202
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $65,017
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,110
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $14,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $32,275,451
Production budget ranking: 1,114
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $17,380,330
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$37,943,461
ROI to date (est.): -76%
ROI ranking: 1,854
Albert Finney – Liam “Leo” O’Bannon
Marcia Gay Harden – Verna
Jon Polito – Johnny Caspar
John Turturro – Bernie Bernbaum
J.E. Freeman – Eddie Dane
Director(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Writer(s)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer(s)
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 16 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (66) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (5)
Bullet-riddled and crackling with quotable dialogue, Millers Crossing gets a handsome new 2K transfer and a handful of insightful extras.
March 8, 2022
Budd Wilkins
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Substance is here in spades, along with the twisted, brilliantly controlled style on which filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen made a name.
November 6, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It never fully convinces in terms of either period or plot.
November 6, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The Coens’ take on Depression-era gangster flicks, looks gorgeous and showcases John Turturro’s best acting ever.
August 14, 2007 | Rating: 4/4
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
It’s arguably the US mainstream’s first art movie since Days of Heaven; and quite wonderful.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
It held my interest from the first frame to the last.
May 26, 2022
Quentin Crisp
Christopher Street
like so many of the Coens best films, it is an enigma, a fleeting and gripping experience that offers itself up and pulls away from us at the same time
March 17, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
Joel and Ethan Coen’s third film had the misfortune of opening three days after GoodFellas and three months before The Godfather Part III, meaning it got clobbered at the box office. That’s a shame, because this was one of the best films of its year.
February 27, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Given the consistent brilliance of Coens, it’s less about how it ranks against the rest and more about just looking at the film for what it is a modern classic.
February 22, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Aaron Neuwirth
Why So Blu
‘Miller’s Crossing’ might start in knowing satire and a winking brand of precise mimicry but it ends in a haunting existential trap.
February 12, 2021
Chris Barsanti
Eyes Wide Open
Despite the number of great films that [the Coens have] made, this is the one that still stands head and shoulders above the rest.
October 8, 2020
Peter Sobczynski
The Spool…
Plot
Tom Reagan (played by Gabriel Byrne) is the right-hand man, and chief adviser, to a mob boss, Leo (Albert Finney). Trouble is brewing between Leo and another mob boss, Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito), over the activities of a bookie, Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro) and Leo and Tom are at odds on how to deal with it. Meanwhile, Tom is in a secret relationship with Leo’s girlfriend, Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), who happens to be the sister of Bernie. In trying to resolve the issue, Tom is cast out from Leo’s camp and ultimately finds himself stuck in the middle between several deadly, unforgiving parties.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of Miller’s Crossing includes Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, Jon Polito, John Turturro, and Steve Buscemi in a small but important role.
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