Mean Streets

Mean Streets is a 1973 film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. The movie is part of a informal trilogy, with Goodfellas and Casino.

Martin Scorsese had made two films before Mean Streets: Who's That Knocking at My Door (1967) and Boxcar Bertha, but this was the film that proved to the world that Scorsese was a special breed of filmmaker: original, volatile, personal, and brilliant. Mean Streets was heavily inspired by events he saw growing up in Little Italy, but the style of filmmaking on display is a kinetic fusion of Scorsese's biggest influences: Powell & Pressburger, Kenneth Anger, John Cassavetes, but with a speed and assurance that would ultimately define Scorsese as a filmmaker. Harvey Keitel shines as Charlie Cappa, but Robert De Niro is the true breakout start as Johnny Boy, a frequently careless low-level gangster who Charlie remains loyal to, in spite of all the trouble he causes.

Mean Streets was added to the National Film Registry in 1997.


 * The Gambling Addict: Charlie's friend Johnny Boy plays small-time and owes money to loan sharks.
 * The Mafia: Charlie works for Giovanni, the local "capo", but want to move higher in the ranks.