Mean Streets

Scorsese In His Finest And Rawest Form

Director: Martin Scorsese
Release Date: 1973
Rating: 18
Running Time: 95 mins
Genre: Drama
Actors: Harvey Keitel, Robert DeNiro

'You don't make up for your sins in the church, you do it on the streets...'

'Mean Streets' is one of those films that stands out as a true masterpiece on so many levels. It is without a doubt one of Martin Scorsese's strongest films and one that really captures the essence of the directors background and nature. Focusing heavily on commitment, honour, love and friendship, it's tests how far we will go to save someone who is altogether 'unsavable'. Charlie (Harvey Keitel) is a man battling these problems. Caught between trying to do the right thing and the honourable thing, we see him struggle to cope with the hardship and constant aggravation of the people living on the mean streets of early 70's New York. Trying to cope with pressure from his uncle in the mafia to be an 'honourable man', the unbearably unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of his friend Johnny Boy (Robert DeNiro), Charlie's hopes of following in his uncles footsteps slowly withers away.

Though a virtually plot-less piece of film, Scorsese takes us on a journey showing the darker side of New York through fantastically and well structured script, characters and cinematography. Having written the script himself but not yet directing a big picture, Scorsese was originally turned down for the role of director, yet after persuasion and enthusiasm for cinema, he was granted the opportunity and it's fair to say the man delivered.

Though fairly slow paced, it's a truly fantastic and gripping film that practically launched the careers of three of the most treasured icons in Hollywood. Despite not winning any academy awards there's no denying it's a soaring debut from the legendary director.

Hard, gritty, brutal. A true masterpiece.

9/10