Oh, how fun typing is when you’re sniffling every other word. Bah.
In a way, I felt like Miller’s Crossing was somewhere in between The Glass Key and Yojimbo. It didn’t hold as true to Ned’s personality in the book as Sanjuro in Yojimbo, but it wasn’t quite as far away as “Ed” in The Glass Key. Certain plot points were more identifiable as parallels to those in the book, while others were obviously constructed for the film alone. Miller’s Crossing has the same themes and character personalities as the book, …

-opening shot: ice in glass, starts with just noise first (loud)

-similar lines, occasionally: “How far has she got her hooks into you?”
-conversations have same themes as Glass Key, different subjects
-beautiful shot sequence: dog –> boy –> dead man (reaction shot in reverse–drawn out eyeline match)

-”You and I have faced worse odds.” “Never without reason. It helps to have one.”
-powder room conflict between Tom and Verna–background music: “Runnin’ Wild” (This song also featured in Some Like It Hot)
“Running wild, lost control.
Running wild, mighty bold.
Feeling gay, reckless too,
carefree mind …

I finally managed to watch Yojimbo on Friday afternoon, which means that I’m about three class sessions behind with blog posts. Argh.
Aesthetically, this film is nearly perfect. Lots of attention was obviously given to shot composition and lighting. (As should be the case in any movie, but–sadly–isn’t always.) The music was also an element that immediately caught my attention. It was an interesting mix of dramatic movie soundtrack-type music and traditional Japanese musical elements and instruments.
The comical aspects of this film seemed much more intentional than those in The Glass Key. …

-opening shot: head framed by mountains
-music: combination of western/traditional
-shot of feet
-howling wind (used several times)…emphasizes isolation
-fork in the road; represents indecision, lack of ties/commitments
-fast-paced conflict of the men contracts with the woman’s slow, steady weaving and speech
-wipe transition (total wipes in film: 7)
-isolation again…camera focused on Sanjuro rather than background, which is slightly out of focus
-dog with hand, cut to reaction shot
-”Business is booming. Can’t make coffins fast enough.”
-corrupt lawmen (just like traditional westerns!)
-leaves blowing, other characters at a distance (isolation again)
-”I’ve broken every law.”
-”Cooper, two coffins.        No, maybe three.”
-”There …