Mean Streets 8/10

Mean Streets (R) 1973
Reviewer’s Tilt (8)
Drama-112min
Special DVD Features worth a look-None

Sandwiched between the release of “The Godfather” in 1972 and “the Godfather II” in 1974, Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets chronicles the lives of small time hoods in New York City. Scorsese co-wrote the screenplay and enlisted the talents of relative unknowns, Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro, to play the lead roles. Scorsese’s Charlie Cappa Jr. (Keitel) is the conflicted nephew and number runner of mob boss Giovanni (Cesare Danova). Johnny Boy is the volatile punk who once “took a beating” for Charlie. Out of loyalty and compassion, Charlie carries more and more water for the cocky Johnny Boy, protecting him from the circling local loan sharks. Unfortunately, as Johnny Boy’s debt to one particular loan shark grows, so to does Johnny Boy’s bravado and self-destructive behavior. Complicating matters is Charlie’s love for Johnny Boy’s epileptic cousin Teresa (Amy Robinson).

In true Scorsese style, Mean Streets is a semi-autobiographical snapshot of New York’s “Little Italy.” Charlie’s upbringing imbibes him with the conflicting codes of the Mafia and Catholicism. Charlie knows, penance is done on the streets and at home, not silently in a church. He knows he must do penance for every bad deed, but knows penance is not enough; he must change his life. Throughout the movie red overtones and flames foreshadow that Hell awaits sinners like Charlie. Charlie sticks his hands directly into the flames as penance and a reminder of the damnation that awaits him if he does not reform. Coming to terms with his mortality and guilt, Charlie intervenes on Johnny Boy’s behalf, seeking to save Johnny Boy’s physical self and his spiritual self in the process. Keitel, De Niro, Robinson, Richard Romanus (as the loan shark), David Proval (as Tony), and Jeannie Bell (as Diane) all provide stunning performances. Scorsese himself even does a passable job as a Mafia hit man.

Overall, Mean Streets provides fine acting, incredible camera work, great music and many flourishes of avant-grade direction, to back up the action. Although the screenplay is a little rough and unbalanced, nearly every Mafia film since takes away some small part of this film and makes it its own. Stunning in its day, and wearing the test of time quite well, Mean Streets is a classic in the truest sense of the word.

Format: Color, Widescreen Anamorphic, Closed captioned.
Sound: (Dolby Digital Mono)
Extras: Cast bios, trailer.