Episode 266: MIAMI BLUES (1990)

Based on Charles Willeford’s noir novel, George Armitage’s MIAMI BLUES is ‘supposed’ to be about the escapades of Hoke Moseley (Fred Ward), a jaded, toothless Miami cop. Instead, it’s about Frederick J. Frenger Jr. (Alec Baldwin), a sociopathic, interloping hustler. Junior’s ongoing seduction of young prostitute Susie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) provides him insulation from Hoke’s suspicions, but threatens Junior’s own self-concept.

In this episode, we talk about the ‘happy Sisyphean’ Junior, the movie’s comparison to a more typical noir, the pieces of this story that don’t fit, and why it’s better for them.

MIAMI BLUES review by Roger Ebert (April 20, 1990) https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/miami-blues-1990

Review/Film: Cop, Thief and Prostitute in Miami by Janet Maslin for The New York Times (April 26, 1990) https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/20/movies/review-film-cop-thief-and-prostitute-in-miami.html

#NoirFestival #DCP

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Theme: "Raindrops" by Huma-Huma/"No Smoking" PSA by John Waters. Closing audio: “Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum from the MIAMI BLUES soundtrack.

Timestamps

0:00 - Episode 266: MIAMI BLUES (1990)

3:39 - The Patented Aaron Grossman Summary

4:38 - The movie’s left turn from neo-noir to dark comedy

8:17 - Favorite parts/shooting style

14:41 - The pieces that don’t fit become the point

26:14 - Junior’s main character magnetism

33:50 - What Junior wants vs. how he acts around it

43:43 - Junior, Susie, and wearing the consequences of your actions

47:59 - Susie, disillusionment, and seducing the audience

56:23 - The Junk Drawer

1:02:22 - Other Loves We’ve Tried: 1990

1:05:47 - Cody’s Noteys: Miami Haikus