MovieChat Forums > Miller's Crossing (1990) Discussion > Great action sequences, boring everythin...

Great action sequences, boring everything else

posted 8 years ago by M_Exchange
11 replies | jump to latest

First of all, Polito comes across as a cartoon figure to me so I could never take him seriously whatsoever when he was on the screen. I felt like if he met a guy from Goodfellas it would just result in defenestration within seconds.
So whenever he is onscreen he just sops up any of the film's momentum and energy.
The screenwriting is poor. If you've had a screenwriting class you could probably spot the errors literally within the film's first few minutes. In the dialogue they refer to so many events that we haven't actually seen and characters who we haven't been introduced to yet. It's fairly confusing and extremely dull.
Finally, the Bernie character is intolerably smug and weaselly. He was allowed to live far too many times.

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[–] SamMalone07 8 years ago

I'm sorry your brain doesn't work. You would've enjoyed this one.

[–] pankoeken 8 years ago

I felt like if he met a guy from Goodfellas it would just result in defenestration within seconds.

Why? I know you're trying desperately to be clever but explain why Caspar would throw someone from Goodfellas out of a window within seconds.

If you've had a screenwriting class you could probably spot the errors literally within the film's first few minutes.

Again your desperation to impress strangers on the internet is painfully obvious. Your comment was so off target though I'm guessing you are playing with your phone during that class you want to brag about.

the Bernie character is intolerably smug and weaselly.

Irony can be so delicious. Ask your screenwriting TA to explain it to you.

[–] cheeso65 8 years ago

Spot on!

The Coen brothers: successful film makers.

The OP: not so much...

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MikeyBoomBoom 8 years ago

Polito played the role perfectly IMO, can't think of anyone who could have done better.
As for the screenwriting, it's stylized, a parody.
When I first saw the movie I was a little bemused and not overwhelmed because so much of the plot was put across in the dialogue, you actually have to pay attention and listen.
I watched it again and I'm so glad I did, its probably one of the most underrated movies ever made. I've seen it about 7 times now. It just keeps giving and giving.

[–] writinman2004 8 years ago

See a doctor about your ADD.

[–] tsheehan-86345 7 years ago

I didn't mind Polito so much but I've never really loved gangster movies. As far as everything else you have to say: I couldn't agree more. Well, except I didn't even like the action. You have keen insight on the structure of the story telling. We need to SEE things, not told things. We are told way too much. This could have been made for radio. It really surprises me because I think the Coen's are exceptional story tellers. Not this one though, a real bomb in my opinion. I do like the music and style of the film; but who cares if the story isn't done well?

[–] twominds79 7 years ago

Wow !! That was a terrible opinion on the film. There is a reason why comic book films full of explosions and car chasers make money . That reason is you. You can't appreciate a great story, characters , acting and direction . Maybe fast and furious is more your go ?

[–] johnmiller (3355) 3 years ago

Ooo! Another Michael Bay acolyte chiming in on a movie that isn't non-stop action. How quaint!