Martin Scorcsese's early mob movie, and a warm up for Goodfella's stars Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro as Charlie and Johnny Boy, two friends with ambition to rise in the New York Mafia. Charlie is a very confused young man, as he attends a local Catholic church regularly, despite his criminal activities. The director's strict religious upbringing is evident throughout; with shots of crucifixes and statues of saints, used as the predominant background to the story.
Charlie collects debts for Giovanni, a capo, and is secretly dating Johnny Boy's cousin Teresa, who has epilepsy. Johnny has a gambling problem, and owes money to loan sharks. The two end up in a confrontation at a bar with a bookie looking to collect from John. They get into a car to escape the bad situation, and are chased by the loan shark and his associates. It turns into a standard shootout, with a predictable ending.
Scorcese always ponders the meaning of life, with predominantly Catholic overtones. I was also raised in the church, and I can respect the beautiful and iconic symbolism of the denomination ; it makes for great visuals. Mean Streets is gritty, and Keitel and De Niro are a hell of a pairing. Martin's work is never boring and alway's thought provoking.
