Miller's Crossing

REVIEW
This thoroughly engrossing and brilliantly produced gangland sendup overflows with sardonic wit, bristling dialogue and operatic violence. Byrne heads an excellent cast as Tom, a mob insider whose endless scheming provides the plot with an abundance of unexpected twists, double-crosses and red herrings. The story follows a fight for control of City Hall between Tom's boss, Leo (confidently portrayed by Finney), and an arch-rival. In the midst of the fray is Bernie Bernbaum, a weasely small-time hood who's trying to muscle in on both men's numbers racket. As Bernie, Turturro delivers a tantalizingly over-the-top performance. In her cinematic debut, Harden is superb as the hard-as-nails Verna, who is both Bernie's sister and Leo's girlfriend.