Product: Mean Streets (1973)
Rating: 4.0
Johnny Boy!!!!
Warning: Spoilers here!....I first saw this movie several years ago on vhs after my sister told me excitedly how great it was. I watched it then and was bored and gave up on it. I rewatched it last month after wanting to see every Robert DeNiro film and I have changed me mind.....this is a must-see film if you like DeNiro or Harvey Keitel or want to see the most underrated Scorcese-DeNiro collaboration.This was not DeNiro's entrance to film. He had been in several films starting in 1968 before this, but this is the one where his career took off. American cinema was never the same. DeNiro's entrance as the reckless Johnny Boy in this film is literally explosive and you'll see why. To me, the most memorable scene in this movie is his second appearance where he walks into the restaurant w/2 females. This is an incredible scene!!! Jumpin jack flash plays as Scorcese makes good use of slow motion. DeNiro's smile is pure cinema!! You know w/this entrance in the overly-red lit bar and smoke that Johnny Boy is going to a Scorcese 'hell' and not coming back. This too-short scene is significant in that Charlie, played by Keitel, has just asked for a sign from above and this is what he gets and from then on has to pay for Johnny's 'sins'.Mean Streets has a strong beginning which I loved. Charlie says "You don't make up for your sins in church, you do it at home, you do it in the streets" so there is Catholic guilt and the familiar themes that frequent most of Scorcese's films. This film does have a lot of profane language (I wish the dialogue had been better) but it does have some very memorable lines/quotes.The first 3 songs flow nicely and go well w/the film. The 50-'s music is enjoyable and serves a purpose, not like the see-the-film-buy-the-soundtrack ripoff they serve you these days. He also intercuts authentic Italian music into the score. I've never seen Keitel's acting better than in this film. He has been unrecognized by industry because he chooses unhollywood roles. His Charlie is a likeable character who really tries to help out his friend, Johnny Boy, who always gets into trouble therefore causing trouble for Charlie, and Theresa, Charlie's cousin. Charlie's mob uncle tells him to stay away from Theresa becuase he is prejudiced against epilepsy so we see Charlie's struggle w/wanting to better his life and break away from Johnny Boy's silly punk antics and please his uncle and his loyalty to his friend and girlfriend. Charlie does try to cheat on his girlfriend who loves him, so that I do not understand.The local mean loanshark keeps pressuring Charlie to get Johnny Boy to straighten up and pay off his big debts. Johnny Boy is childish, irresponsible, starts fights and I wondered why Charlie would put his life on the line for him but I guess he does because they were childhood friends. I wish the movie were longer so they could have explored that more. DeNiro's performance is so charismatic, full of life and energy and riveting, that I couldn't take my eyes off him! DeNiro did not grow up in the streets or a slum but is pretty convincing. I absolutely LOVE his accent as Johnny B! He speaks w/an interesting cadence, rhythm that stands out and will stay in your head long after the film is over. He is very sexy w/his hat and gum-chewing. Watch the Godfather dvd features dvd and you'll see a short snippet of DeNiro's screen test as Sonny for the Godfather Part 1. He didn't get the role, but Coppola after seeing his performance in Mean Streets, knew he could play the young Don Vito for Godfather 2.One scene that was improvised is where Keitel is talking to DeNiro in the back of the restaurant. Again, this is banal talk, but the off-the-cuff way the quickfire lines are spoken is refreshing and realistic and funny.I feel that more males would like this film than females as I was put off by the mysogynistic language & I wished they hadn't put in the anti-Asian comments. This movie does not have a strong plot but it was meant as more of a slice-of-life portrait of its characters. American 1970's cinema like this was so much better and had socially-relevant thems unlike the mindless trash put out today. This film shows you what New York in the early 70's was like. For this performance, De Niro won the New York Critics Best Supporting Actor Award.Its really frustrating to see how much Charlie is trying to help Johnny B and then he messes it up every time! Watch for the scene after their big fight in the hallway where Johhny selfishly walks away from Theresa's epileptic fit. Charlie straightens him out (or tries to) outside and look at the expression on DeNiro's face. He's face protrays vulnerability, fear, and a low intelligence (like in his 1973 film "Bang the Drum Slowly") but we want him to not get hurt and pay off those debts!The point-of-no-return for Johhny is when he fatally pulls out a gun and Charlie tries to save him by getting him in his car for a getaway. He instead dances away in the night, a classic DeNiro moment. I give this 4 1/2 stars as I was unhappy w/the ending as I didn't know what happens after that and its abrupt but realistic. I really hope Keitel and DeNiro make more films together! Add this film to your collectionfor a more realistic portrayal of small-time hoods. Check out my other DeNiro reviews!