Product: Mean Streets (1973)
Rating: 4.0
An overlooked gem of early Scorsese
This early film from director Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Last Temptation of Christ) stars Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel in early roles that would only be a sample of the acting ability to come on later years. Keitel and De Niro respectively play two low rent hoods named Charlie and Johnny Boy. Both are friends with ranging priorities; Charlie is overcome with Catholic guilt while he tries to help the reckless, debt ridden Johnny and make a name for himself with the mob. While De Niro gets the top billing, it is Keitel that is the true star of Mean Streets, and his fantastic moving performance would only set the tone of his future great roles in Bad Lieutenant, Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction. De Niro gives a great early glimpse of the actor he would become, and he is great as well in his limited screen time. Scorsese began to craft the kind of director he would become with this film, moving on to make groundbreaking and critically acclaimed films like Taxi Driver, Last Temptation of Christ, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, Bringing Out the Dead, and Gangs of New York. All in all, Mean Streets is a great film that would only serve as a sample of the greatness to come from Scorsese, De Niro, and Keitel.