MovieChat Forums > Miller's Crossing (1990) Discussion > Why was the big guy yelling?

Why was the big guy yelling?

posted 9 years ago by outofmana
6 replies | jump to latest

After Casper beats on the Dane with the shovel with Tom and the big goon in the room, the goon begins yelling loudly and Casper tells him to stop, Tom states "It's OK, the Dane made him do it", Casper replies "Then make him shut up!" and top nods his head toward the goon and he stops yelling... does anyone know what this is all about? If I had to make a random guess I'd say the Dane told him to start yelling if Tom or anyone attacked him so that people outside of Casper's office might hear and come interrupt?

[–] XCopoutX_16 9 years ago

*beep* I was coming here for that answer.

[–] bryanjlederman 9 years ago

From what I figured, 'Drop' Johnson (your goon) was just a random boxer, only mixed up in the criminal underworld for making bets and possibly throwing fights. He was probably used to seeing guys beat up, but not MURDERED. He starts screaming only after the second blow to the back of the Dane's head (which, reasonably, should have killed him).

I think we are also shown Tom's inherent authoritative power in his ability to shut Drop up with only a look. A possible other dimension to Drop's screams was the implication that he knows that it is Tom, and not The Dane, who is lying, and is a bit horrified by the 'honest' gangster's demise when Tom is actually the one who 'deserved' to be killed for his lying. (And in a sense, our perception of 'Tom' as the 'good guy' is also called into question in this interpretation, which seems like something the Coens would have wanted.)

That's my two cents and a question I had upon the first viewing of this film as well. I also arrived at this post hoping to see other interpretations for this scene. Hope I've helped anyway.

[–] kmags84 9 years ago

He was sounding an alarm... That's my interpretation. But with the Coens, that almost seems to easy

[–] franzkabuki 9 years ago

He was upset.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] bloody-3 9 years ago

He may have thought that he was going to be murdered as well. As in we don't want any witnesses.

[–] jellyree 8 years ago

I think it was just a moment of drama, like Goodman acting out in "Barton Fink".