While some may say that the greatest gangster saga has been told in the Godfather movies, the Coen brothers have given us an overlooked masterpiece in Miller’s Crossing. It is another classic modern neo-noir set in the time of prohibition.

It is a story of trust and betrayal, double-crossing, and retribution told in a way only the Coen brothers can. The protagonist in this tale is one of the most unlikely characters to occupy the mob universe. He is Tom Reagan, the second-in-command to Irish mobster and politician Leo O’Bannon. Tom is not the rough and tough person who would typically work in such a position. While appearing soft, he is an expert manipulator. Leo lords over the city with Tom as his advisor.

While Tom is committed to his boss’s business interests, he is also having an affair with Leo’s girlfriend, Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), whom Leo loves. Rival Italian gangster Caspar, who has been conned by Verna’s brother Bernie, a crooked bookie, approaches Leo and asks him to hand over Bernie.

Leo, loyal to Verna, refuses the proposal against Tom’s advice, who suggests handing over Bernie to Caspar. In retaliation, Caspar orders a hit on Leo, but Leo escapes the attempt and kills his assailant with his Tommy gun.

In an effort to persuade Leo to hand over Bernie, Tom confesses his affair with Verna to Leo. In a fit of rage, Leo expels Tom after giving him a sound thrashing. Tom seeks employment with Caspar.

Caspar asks Tom to prove his loyalty by killing Bernie himself. With a couple of Caspar’s men, Tom takes Bernie to an area in the woods known as Miller’s Crossing. Leaving Caspar’s men behind, Tom leads Bernie into the woods, planning to carry out Caspar’s orders.

In one of the movie’s most iconic scenes, Tom is moved when Bernie pleads for his life and spares Bernie’s life, tricking Caspar’s men. Tom then helps Caspar take control of the city.

Eddie Dane, Caspar’s enforcer, does not trust Tom. He forces Tom into the woods and wants to see Bernie’s corpse. Is it the end of the line for Tom? Things get worse when Bernie returns to Tom’s apartment and blackmails him, threatening to reveal to Caspar that Tom did not carry out his first task.

Can Tom save himself from all these challenges? Gabriel Byrne puts in a masterful performance as the not-so-tough but crafty Tom Reagan. Veteran Thespian Albert Finney, who played the gamekeeper in Skyfall and delivered what is considered the best portrayal of Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), gives a fine performance as Leo. John Polito also delivers a powerful performance as Caspar, and John Turturro is brilliant as the sleazy Bernie.

Miller’s Crossing is a riveting thriller from start to finish. Its screenplay and cinematography are outstanding. It is a must-watch for all fans of gangster and neo-noir movies. Little wonder that it is considered one of the classic gangster movies by most critics.