Mean Streets (1973)

Name: Mean Streets (1973)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Released: October. 14,1973
Rating: 7.2

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Summary of Mean Streets

In the gritty urban landscape of Mean Streets 2.0, we meet Jimmy and Joey, two lifelong buddies who dream of opening the coolest dive bar on the mean streets of Brooklyn. Jimmy is the street-smart charmer, always looking for a quick buck, while Joey is the heart of the duo, determined to make their mark in the cutthroat nightlife scene.

Amidst the neon lights and the pulsating beats, they encounter the enigmatic Lisa, a femme fatale with a mysterious past. Just like Charlie in Mean Streets, Joey is drawn to her, but there's a catch – she's the sister of a notorious mob boss who holds the key to their success.

As Jimmy and Joey embark on their bar venture, they befriend Frankie, a hot-headed daredevil with a taste for adrenaline and trouble, reminiscent of the unpredictable Johnny Boy from the original Mean Streets. As the bonds of friendship are tested, loyalties clash with ambitions, and the streets prove to be unforgiving.

Meanwhile, as they navigate the volatile landscape of the underworld, the trio gets entangled in a web of rivalries, debts, and betrayal. Like in the classic film, tensions escalate, and their desperate escape plans lead them down a perilous path, painting a portrait of ambition, passion, and recklessness.

In this modern Mean Streets-inspired narrative, we delve into the electrifying world of the nightlife, where dreams and danger collide. The characters find themselves on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, exploring the fine line between loyalty and survival, all while struggling to keep their dreams alive amidst the unforgiving reality of the mean streets. Prepare for a thrilling and emotional journey that'll keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll.

Rating	Release Date
R	October. 14,1973
Genre	Run Time
Drama , Crime	1 hr 51 min
Director	Writers
Martin Scorsese	Mardik Martin, Martin Scorsese

Table of Contents

Mean Streets (1973) Plot

Meet Charlie Cappa, a tough Italian-American guy trying to survive on the wild and mean streets of New York City’s Little Italy. He’s got this friend, John “Johnny Boy” Civello, who’s always getting into trouble with loan sharks and living life on the edge. Oh, and there’s this little secret between Charlie and Johnny’s cousin, Teresa – they’re having a secret affair. But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine because Teresa’s got epilepsy, and people treat her differently because of it. Especially Charlie’s Uncle Giovanni, who happens to be a powerful mafioso, and he’s not happy about this whole situation.

So, here’s the deal: Charlie’s got two sides battling inside him like a classic movie showdown. On one hand, he’s a devout Catholic, trying to do the right thing, but on the other, he’s knee-deep in shady Mafia business for Uncle Giovanni. Talk about conflicting paths! And, of course, Giovanni wants Charlie to ditch Johnny and hang out with the “honorable men.” Easier said than done, right?

Things get real intense when a loan shark named Michael shows up, looking to collect from Johnny. But Johnny, being his reckless self, decides to stir the pot and insults Michael. Drama alert! Johnny pulls out a gun, and it’s like a Mexican standoff in the middle of a bar. Luckily, they all manage to leave the scene before things escalate further.

So, what do you do when you’re in hot water? You hit the road! Charlie, Johnny, and Teresa jump into a borrowed car, thinking they can escape the chaos. But guess what? There’s always someone lurking in the shadows on the mean streets. Michael and his henchman Jimmy are tailing them! Shots are fired, the car crashes into a fire hydrant – talk about a crazy car chase! Teresa gets hurt, and both Charlie and Johnny are hit. It’s a total mess.

The scene is like something out of a suspenseful thriller. Johnny’s staggering towards a mysterious white light, which turns out to be a police car! Yikes! And Charlie’s bleeding and dazed, kneeling beside the spurting hydrant. The paramedics rush in to save Teresa and Charlie, but what about Johnny? Nobody knows what happens to him.

In the end, it’s a gripping tale of friendship, loyalty, and dangerous choices on the mean streets. Charlie’s life is hanging by a thread, and he’s forced to confront the consequences of his actions. Will he find redemption or spiral further into the chaos of the city? You better buckle up because this rollercoaster ride of emotions will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

Mean Streets (1973) Cast

Harvey Keitel as Charlie Cappa
Robert De Niro as John “Johnny Boy” Civello
David Proval as Tony DeVienazo
Amy Robinson as Teresa Ronchelli
Victor Argo as Mario
Richard Romanus as Michael Longo
Cesare Danova as Giovanni Cappa
George Memmoli as Joey
Jeannie Bell as Diane
Harry Northup as Soldier
David Carradine as Drunk
Martin Scorsese as Jimmy Shorts

Mean Streets (1973) Review

Raw, heartrending, and hilarious – that’s Mean Streets in a nutshell, a true gem from the early days of Martin Scorsese’s career, featuring the incredible talents of Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. This film served as a premonition of their later collective masterpiece, Taxi Driver, but personally, I find Mean Streets even more captivating with its brilliant blend of humor and everyday life. While it lacks the gloom of Taxi Driver, we can’t ignore the fact that De Niro’s character, Johnny Boy, is heading straight for disaster.

Much like Fassbinder’s Katzelmacher, Mean Streets seems like a movie about nothing in particular, focusing on the daily lives of a group of young hoodlums and fixers in New York’s Little Italy. These guys are in their twenties, always scheming and dreaming of being the coolest and most successful around, even if it means collecting debts and getting into trouble. Their lives may seem pointless and reckless, but there’s a certain charm and humor in their absurd existence.

Now, don’t get too caught up in the criminal affairs they’re involved in. Instead, sit back and enjoy the hilarious stories Johnny Boy shares with Charlie (Keitel), laugh at their carefree actions and brawls, and immerse yourself in the para-documentary glimpses of Little Italy. Scorsese captures the essence of this gritty neighborhood with its sleazy bars, pathetic mafiosos, and religious processions accompanied by old amateur musicians playing “Faccetta Nera,” a song with a controversial history.

Harvey Keitel’s performance is top-notch, and Robert De Niro’s acting is nothing short of superb. Scorsese’s directing style is truly innovative, creating an unforgettable experience. Now, fair warning, some viewers might find aspects of the film misogynistic, but it’s essential to remember the context of the late 1960s/early ’70s – a conservative and corrupt ethnic district filled with narrow-minded machos. So, while recognizing it as an excellent movie, it also serves as a valuable document of its era, capturing a unique time and place in American cinema history.