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Mean Streets

  • 19731973
  • RR
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,232
565
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mean Streets (1973)
Theatrical Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer2:59
4 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller

A small-time hood tries to keep the peace between his friend Johnny and Johnny's creditors.A small-time hood tries to keep the peace between his friend Johnny and Johnny's creditors.A small-time hood tries to keep the peace between his friend Johnny and Johnny's creditors.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
108K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,232
565
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writers
    • Martin Scorsese(screenplay)
    • Mardik Martin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Harvey Keitel
    • David Proval
Top credits
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writers
    • Martin Scorsese(screenplay)
    • Mardik Martin(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Harvey Keitel
    • David Proval
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 324User reviews
    • 126Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos4

    Mean Streets
    Trailer 2:59
    Mean Streets
    Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    Clip 2:53
    Does 'Joker' Exist in a Scorsese-Verse of Films?
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    Video 3:08
    25 Movies That Almost Starred Robert De Niro
    'Mean Streets' Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:21
    'Mean Streets' Anniversary Mashup

    Photos134

    Robert De Niro and David Proval in Mean Streets (1973)
    Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Richard Romanus in Mean Streets (1973)
    Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets (1973)
    David Proval in Mean Streets (1973)
    D'Mitch Davis and George Memmoli in Mean Streets (1973)
    Harvey Keitel and Cesare Danova in Mean Streets (1973)
    Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Amy Robinson in Mean Streets (1973)
    Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Amy Robinson in Mean Streets (1973)
    Robert De Niro in Mean Streets (1973)
    Harvey Keitel in Mean Streets (1973)
    Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets (1973)
    Harvey Keitel and Cesare Danova in Mean Streets (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Johnny Boyas Johnny Boy
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Charlieas Charlie
    David Proval
    David Proval
    • Tonyas Tony
    Amy Robinson
    Amy Robinson
    • Teresaas Teresa
    Richard Romanus
    Richard Romanus
    • Michaelas Michael
    Cesare Danova
    Cesare Danova
    • Giovannias Giovanni
    Victor Argo
    Victor Argo
    • Marioas Mario
    • (as Vic Argo, Victor Argo)
    George Memmoli
    George Memmoli
    • Joeyas Joey
    Lenny Scaletta
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Jeannie Bell
    Jeannie Bell
    • Dianeas Diane
    Murray Moston
    Murray Moston
    • Oscaras Oscar
    • (as Murray Mosten)
    David Carradine
    David Carradine
    • Drunkas Drunk
    Robert Carradine
    Robert Carradine
    • Boy With Gunas Boy With Gun
    Lois Walden
    • Jewish Girlas Jewish Girl
    Harry Northup
    Harry Northup
    • Soldieras Soldier
    Dino Seragusa
    • Old Manas Old Man
    D'Mitch Davis
    D'Mitch Davis
    • Copas Cop
    Peter Fain
    • Georgeas George
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writers
      • Martin Scorsese(screenplay) (story)
      • Mardik Martin(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The future is set for Tony and Michael -- owning a neighborhood bar and making deals in the mean streets of New York City's Little Italy. For Charlie, the future is less clearly defined. A small-time hood, he works for his uncle, making collections and reclaiming bad debts. In love with a woman of whom his uncle disapproves (due to her epilepsy) and a friend of her disturbed cousin, Johnny Boy, a near psychotic whose trouble-making threatens them all -- Charlie just cannot reconcile opposing values. A failed attempt to escape (to Brooklyn) moves them all a step closer to a bitter, almost preordained future. —Dave Cook <cookd@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca>
    • italian american
    • epilepsy
    • bar
    • close up of breasts
    • catholic guilt
    • 103 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Welcome...but don't break the rules!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Francis Ford Coppola contributed money to the budget of the film.
    • Goofs
      The end credits on the DVD incorrectly list David Carradine as "Oscar" and Robert Carradine as "Drunk".
    • Quotes

      Martin Scorsese: You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it.

    • Alternate versions
      NBC edited 10 minutes from this film for its 1977 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Edited into American Cinema: Film Noir (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Jumpin' Jack Flash
      Written by Mick Jagger (as M. Jagger), Keith Richards (as K. Richards) (uncredited)

      By The Rolling Stones

      Courtesy of ABKCO Records

    User reviews324

    Review
    Top review
    Rough and ready by comparison with later work but still engaging, stylish, energetic and roundly well delivered
    Charlie may be small time but the authority and standing of his Uncle Giovanni in the community of Little Italy offers him the chance to become more than just a local hustler. One of the things he should be careful of is the company he keeps and who he stands with. Unfortunately Charlie is very protective of his cousin Johnny Boy, who seems determined to borrow as much money as possible, gamble it away and not pay it back and also in a relationship with Johnny's relation Teresa. While the fun and energy of the street life continues, dark consequences of all these things threaten Charlie and those around him.

    It has been years since I saw this film and I noticed that I had last watched it before I started reviewing. As a result I watched it again yesterday to refresh my memory. Seeing it with older eyes is an impressive experience because I appreciate what Scorsese has gone on to do and found it fascinating to look back on this, one of his earliest films. The plot is a mash of characters and events that come together to create a sense of place that is convincingly done; the overall narrative focuses on Charlie, in particular where his relationships are taking him but this aspect ebbs and flows with the events. It is funny, violent, personal and engaging, only a few aspects come over as weak. The script flows like real dialogue, producing the different moods of each scene and also being memorable and rough.

    The style and direction of the film are impressive and it is interesting to see the influence Scorsese had with this and his other films. The techniques employed here will ring bells with anyone who watches modern cinema and television with more than a passing interest, Sopranos in particular owes him a debt. Here we have the slow-motions, chest-mounted camera (I'm sure there is a proper name for it), impressive use of music and so on that we have come to be used to with Scorsese and one cannot help be impressed by how well developed these ideas were at an early stage in his career. Of course along with stylistic constants, several of the cast would become regulars. Keitel is the heart of the film for me and, although his opportunities in the script are surprisingly limited, I felt he did well with the themes handed to him. De Niro of course catches the eye more because of what was to come but also because he has the more energetic character. Robinson didn't make much of an impression on me but the support cast features early turns from faces such as Proval, Romanus, Argo and others.

    Mean Streets might be a bit rough and ready when placed next to the polished films that Scorsese would go on to do but it does not take away from its strengths to look back at it. So much of Scorsese's style and calling cards are in place even at this early stage and his film convincingly creates the streets and characters of the place. The main players involved have done better films since this one but it is still strong, stylish and interesting and definitely worth a look for anyone who has since any other Scorsese films.
    helpful•9
    1
    • bob the moo
    • May 25, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 14, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Season of the Witch
    • Filming locations
      • Old St Patrick's Cathedral - 263 Mulberry Street, Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Taplin - Perry - Scorsese Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,645
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $32,645
      • Mar 15, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $41,131
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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