Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Amy Robinson
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Few actors which achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or frightening gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the movies which he has created in his career. However, “Mean Streets” is my favourite. Released in 1973, Martin Scorsese’s movie provided a powerful portrait of gangsters facing adversity. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest gangster films ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional role by Robert De Niro, who portrays a gangster that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Mean Streets” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1970’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. A riveting mobster masterpiece, there are countless reasons why “Mean Streets” is a film that is worth watching.
Set in 1970’s New York City, “Mean Streets” tells the story of a small-time mobster that faces adversity. Harvey Keitel plays Charlie Cappa, small-town mobster that engages in life of crime that causes a dilemma. Charlie has always shown a strong devotion toward being a part of the mob that he regards with affection. However, Charlie’s life drastically changes when he becomes a part of a gang causing disaster. Forming a friendship with Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro), Charlie faces a stressful scenario. Johnny Boy is a fierce gangster with a strong sense of joy. As the odds are stacked against his favour, Charlie questions whether it’s possible for him to be a gangster. Struggling to survive on streets which are mean, Charlie questions devotion to a profession that once in the past was a part of his routine.
Martin Scorsese has often been fascinated with the stories of gangsters. A legendary filmmaker, Scorsese has often made strong movies about mobsters facing disaster. His iconic film “Goodfellas” captured the lives of notorious gangsters engaging in crime that causes grim dilemmas. With “Mean Streets”, however, Scorsese made his first crime film set in New York. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of gangsters in New York City, but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Scorsese captures a gangster embarking on a journey to find his identity in New York City. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Scorsese expertly uses point of view shots to capture the struggle of mobsters facing disaster. For instance, the POV shots elevate the murders scene. During this haunting scene, Charlie participates in his first ever murder causing tension. Using strong POV shots, Scorsese captures tensions gangsters are enduring. POV shots are tricky refinishes. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” claimed, POV shots enhance classic heist movies. Nevertheless, it works. Through strong visuals, Scorsese captures tensions which gangsters in New York are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Mean Streets” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired by Robert Wise’s “West Side Story”, Scorsese deftly uses real-life locations across New York to capture gangsters facing adversities. For instance, the New York locations enhance the gangs rivalry scene. During this intense scene, Charlie and his gang encounter an opposing gang in their neighborhood that causes tensions. Using New York locations, Scorsese created a portrait of gangs that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Leonard Bernstein’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that gangsters bear. Using stunning production, Scorsese captures gangs facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mean Streets” is a film about gangs that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of gangsters that are affected by violence. Inspired with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II”, Scorsese expertly uses silence to capture the lives of gangsters in violence. For instance, silence elevates the church scene. During this memorable scene, Charlie visits the church to seek redemption after he has committed gruesome murders. Through silence, Scorsese crafts a portrait of gangsters audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. Michael Cimino’s “The Deer Hunter” proved silence elevates movies about the Vietnam war. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Scorsese captures gangsters which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro gives one of his best career performances as Johnny Boy. De Niro first earned appreciation for playing troubled taxi drivers in crime dramas. With “Mean Streets”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray an ambitious gangster in New York City, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentments faced by a gangster that experiences tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that is working today.
While the movie is a stunning showcase for Robert De Niro, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Harvey Keitel is fantastic, capturing the charisma of a gangster that is driven to excel in a career that’s a living hell. David Proval is dazzling, bringing bravery to a gangster that faced a devastating downfall. Lastly, Amy Robinson merits praise. As the wife of a mobster, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Mean Streets” would earn praise of everyone for capturing gangsters which live on mean streets. Unlike most gangster films, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, guilt and religion which will truly resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of gangsters in New York to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about guilt which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Mean Streets” is one of those rare crime films that everyone will adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would enjoy “Mean Streets” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding crime drama, it honours a legendary actor with charisma.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a classic movie about gangsters seeking to survive on mean streets of New York City, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has built a legacy through his ability to portray larger than life characters in iconic movies which audiences have grown to love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 