| Mean Streets (1973) |
| Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Harvey Keitel, Robert DeNiro, David Proval, Amy Robinson, Richard Romanus, and David Carradine |
| Mean Streets was Scorsese's second feature, and is loosely based on his experiences growing up in an Italian neighbourhood in New York. It follows the lives of a bunch of small time Italian hoods. Charlie is a devout catholic, but instead of seeking absolution through prayer, he pays his penance on the street. Johnny Boy is Charlie's cross to bear. He's a wild young hustler who's up to his eyeballs in debt. |
| Johnny owes a lot of money to loansharks all over town, and has even racked up an enormous bar tab at his friend Tony's establishment. Charlie is doing the best he can juggling his debt collecting duties for his uncle, and trying to get Johnny to pay his debts off. Johnny owes a couple of grand to Michael (another member of their clique), who's patience with the reckless Italian is running out fast. |
| While this film isn't as good as later Scorsese efforts such as Taxi Driver and Goodfellas , it is well executed, and was obviously a huge influence on the whole crime genre. It has a solid ensemble cast, with standout performances by Keitel, DeNiro (it's difficult to believe that these actors would later degrade themselves by appearing in trash like Meet The Parents, and Little Nicky), and Richard Romanus as Michael. |
| Like later Scorsese projects, it has a great sixties soundtrack that really adds to the feel of the film. Songs such as Be My Baby, and Jumping Jack Flash really give it a classic timeless feel without being at all contrived. It also has some great cinematography. There's a great scene where the camera tracks behind a drunken Harvey Keitel as he dances across Tony's bar. The fight scenes (particularly the pool hall scene) are slightly sped up, giving them a chaotic sense of realism that overcomes any sloppy fight choreography that would usually hinder such a dramatic scene. |
| To say any more about this would be giving too much away. If you loved the great New York grittyness of Taxi Driver , or Joe, this is essential viewing. Keep an eye out for a standout scene involving an extremely drunk David Carradine, and his younger brother Robert (who later found fame as Louis Skolnick in Revenge Of The Nerds). A great companion piece for fans of Taxi Driver. |
| Entertainment : 3 out of 4 |
| Watchability : 3 out of 4 |
| Overall : 3 out of 4 |
| Reviewed by Blake |
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