Very well executed

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Boring, boring, boring The actors repeating their texts without passion. Where is the story? Unreal! Don't want to see it again.

Its artificial setting, tongue-in-cheek villains make this a a triumph of gangster film caricature and self-conscious with it. Love is blind, and the seeming transfer of racketeering power in its bosses and underlings shifts as a result within a labyrinthine plot. The set design is beautiful, the lighting is brilliant, and the music pervades so memorably and powerfully. The downside is that the plot is a bit mechanical and characters are not engaging on an emotional level, though it has to be said this is a film to be marvelled for its artifice.

Beautiful, stupendous movie.Warning: It seems that most folks find it obtuse, such that it needs a number of viewings to digest. If you find it so, relax: You're in good company.Here's my take on MC: The Coens are nice Jewish boys, who went to Hebrew school and probably have fair knowledge of the Torah. To me, this explains much of their work. It doesn't always make perfect sense, but the point is to immerse you in a dense story. In time you come to feel about MC the same thing you feel about the Pentateuch/Histories/etc.: It's the idea that story expresses the Mind of G*d.And, if G*d is Love, then will this story tell you something about love?I daresay it will; and a heck of lot of other things, as well... including, of course, crime, the criminal mind, and in-group cohesion finding expression in armed conflict as part of the divine will.If you haven't yet seen it, hie thee down to view it, forthwith.

Tom (Gabriel Byrne) is the right hand man of mobster Leo (Albert Finney). They've always "ruled" their city, despite elected officials. But, now, complications arise. Leo's galpal, Verna (Marcia Gay Harden) is seen as a hardened dame, using Leo for a better life. Her brother, Bernie (John Tuturro) is a bookie who is in trouble with Leo and with another rising mob boss, Johnny (Jon Polito). Because Bern is his lover's bro, Leo is reluctant to act against him. Meanwhile, Verna and Tom are having a secret affair, hardly loyal to Leo. Then, too, Tom is exploring working on the side for Johnny, because he has big debts to pay. Wouldn't you know it, Tom is soon asked to "off" Bernie at Miller's Crossing, a secluded wooded area where few bodies will be found. After all, Tom must prove his allegiance to Johnny. Fortunately, Tom finds a way out of his dilemma, but it doesn't solve the long term situation. Plus, Leo discovers Tom's double life, beats him up, and disowns him. With a growing battle between mobsters, who will remain standing? This intriguing, grimly majestic movie is a stellar piece of film making. The dialogue is superb, making the viewer hang on every word. Then, too, the direction includes scenes of great expertise, such as the one where a boy discovers a dead body, only to be startled when the man's toupee flies off. The actors, too, are great, with Tuturro, especially, exhibiting mighty prowess. As a period piece, one admires the thirties costumes and decor. All in all, MC was one of the first great Coen flicks and fans can argue it is the best of them all.