(1) PRESUMED INNOCENT: Alan J. Pakula and co-writer Frank Pierson did a masterful job of adapting Scott Turow's best-selling novel, and made a rarity - a smart legal thriller. In addition, Harrison Ford gave one of his best performances as Rusty Sabich, the prosecutor accused of killing a prosecutor he had an affair with, and he was equally supported by Raul Julia as his defense attorney and Bonnie Bedelia as his wife. And you won't easily forget the twists of the plot.
(2) CYRANO DE BERGERAC: It's only fitting that France's greatest actor should play the title role in their greatest play (indeed, my favorite play of all time), and Gerard Depardieu more than delivers. He gives us Cyrano's bluster and physicality, and also his vulnerability, without ever becoming mawkish. Fortunately, director Jean-Paul Rappeneau has also made the rest of the movie live up to Depardieu, especially with the triangle of Roxanne (the lovely Anne Brochet) and Christian (Vincent Perez).
(3) MILLER'S CROSSING: For my money, this is the best film the Coen brothers ever did. Of the many fine gangster films made in 1990, this one, set in 1920's New Orleans, was also the best in that genre, thanks to the Coens serious, if complex, plot, their trademark visual wizardry, and their knack for getting great performances, especially Gabriel Byrne as the man playing all the angles.
(4) EDWARD SCISSORHANDS: A surprisingly tender fairy tale from the maniacal Tim Burton, who updated the Frankenstein story and, of all things, made it personal. The touching chemistry between then real-life lovers Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder didn't hurt either.
(5) THE FRESHMAN: By itself, Andrew Bergman's directorial debut was an original, funny twist on the gangster film. But add Marlon Brando's hilarious parody of his own persona from THE GODFATHER, and you have comic magic.
(6) PUMP UP THE VOLUME: For all who still feel teenagers should be seen and not heard, Allan Moyle's blistering drama shows why they should be heard.
(7) FLASHBACK: It was a good year for playing off your persona without descending into self-indulgence; Dennis Hopper had fun with his 60's persona in this surprising comedy that was unjustly overlooked.
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