What did tommy whisper to duke?

Introduction

It’s one of the biggest mysteries in movie history – what did Tommy whisper to Duke at the end of the movie “Miller’s Crossing”? For years, fans of the Coen Brothers’ film have been trying to decipher the message, analyzing every frame and every piece of dialogue in an attempt to uncover the secret. Some believe that Tommy was revealing the true identity of a character, while others think that he was confessing to a crime. In this article, we will explore all of the theories and evidence surrounding this enigmatic whisper.

The Setting: Miller’s Crossing

Before we can delve into the whisper, we need to set the stage. “Miller’s Crossing” is a 1990 crime film by Joel and Ethan Coen, set in 1929 in an unnamed American city. The film follows the story of Tom Reagan (played by Gabriel Byrne), a trusted advisor to Leo O’Bannon (played by Albert Finney), a powerful Irish-American gangster. The main conflict of the movie revolves around a war between two rival gangs – one led by Leo, and the other by an Italian-American gangster named Johnny Caspar (played by Jon Polito). The movie is known for its intricate plot and complex characters, with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and violence woven throughout.

The Whisper: What We Know

At the end of the movie, Tom and his friend and ally, the bookie Bernie Bernbaum (played by John Turturro), are ambushed by members of Johnny Caspar’s gang. Tom manages to kill the assailants and flees into the woods, with Bernie following close behind. As they make their way through the trees, Tommy stops and whispers something into Duke’s ear. Duke (played by J.E. Freeman) is a henchman of Johnny Caspar’s, who had been following Tom and Bernie throughout the film. After Tommy whispers to Duke, the henchman lets them go, and the movie ends.

So, what did Tommy whisper to Duke? Unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer. The Coen Brothers have refused to reveal the secret, saying only that it is not important to the plot of the movie. However, there have been many theories and speculations over the years, some of which we will explore in the following sections.

Theory 1: The Identity of “The Dane”

One of the most popular theories is that Tommy was revealing the true identity of a character named “The Dane”. The Dane is a mysterious figure who is mentioned throughout the movie but is never seen. He is said to be a powerful and dangerous gangster who is involved in the war between Leo and Johnny Caspar. Some believe that Tommy was telling Duke that The Dane was actually Leo’s brother, and that this revelation convinced Duke to let Tom and Bernie go.

There is some evidence to support this theory. Earlier in the film, we see a photo of Leo with a man who looks very similar to The Dane. Additionally, Leo’s right-hand man, Eddie Dane (played by J.E. Freeman), is shown to be very loyal to Leo, even when it goes against his own interests. This could be seen as evidence that The Dane is actually Leo’s brother, and that Eddie is protecting him.

However, there are also some holes in this theory. For one thing, we never hear The Dane’s voice, so we can’t say for sure that he is related to Leo. Additionally, it’s not clear why this revelation would be enough to convince Duke to let Tom and Bernie go. It seems unlikely that Duke would be willing to betray Johnny Caspar just because he found out that Leo had a brother.

Theory 2: Tommy’s Guilt

Another theory is that Tommy was confessing to a crime or admitting to his guilt

Another theory is that Tommy was confessing to a crime or admitting to his guilt. Throughout the movie, it’s clear that Tommy is struggling with his conscience. He is torn between his loyalty to Leo and his feelings for Leo’s girlfriend, Verna (played by Marcia Gay Harden). In one scene, he tells Verna that he’s “not sure what he is anymore”, suggesting that he’s conflicted about his role in the gangster world.

Some fans believe that Tommy’s whisper to Duke was a confession of guilt – perhaps he was admitting to killing someone, or to betraying Leo in some way. This theory is supported by the fact that Duke is shown to have some sympathy for Tommy throughout the movie. In one scene, Duke tells Tom that he “likes him”, and seems to be genuinely conflicted about having to betray him.

However, there are some problems with this theory as well. For one thing, it’s not clear why Duke would let Tom and Bernie go just because Tommy confessed to a crime. If anything, this would give Duke more leverage over Tom and Bernie. Additionally, it’s hard to imagine what crime Tommy could have committed that would be so significant as to warrant such a dramatic confession.

Theory 3: The Coen Brothers Are Messing With Us

Finally, there is the possibility that the Coen Brothers are simply messing with us. They have a history of creating enigmatic and ambiguous films, with endings that leave audiences scratching their heads. It’s possible that Tommy’s whisper was never meant to be understood – it was simply a way to add to the film’s sense of mystery and intrigue.

This theory is supported by the fact that the Coen Brothers have been coy about the whisper’s meaning. In interviews, they have refused to give a straight answer, saying only that it’s “not important” or that “it’s up to the audience to decide”. This could be seen as a way of encouraging fans to come up with their own theories and interpretations, rather than relying on the filmmakers to provide all the answers.

Conclusion

In the end, we may never know for sure what Tommy whispered to Duke at the end of “Miller’s Crossing”. Theories will continue to be debated and analyzed, and fans will continue to come up with new interpretations. However, one thing is certain – the whisper has become a part of movie lore, a mystery that will continue to intrigue and captivate audiences for years to come.