Review of Mean Streets (1973) by Ian R — 10 Jan 2009

Scorsese's major-label debut; now familiar territory, Marty rangles up DeNiro, Keitel and Romanus to play Johnny, Charlie and Michael, three low-level punks to whom it would a compliment and a mistake to be called professionals, or even gangsters.

Johnny owes everyone in town money (these are the kind of criminals who carry around no more than thirty dollars) including Michael--starting a feud between the two to see who can prove their street cred the fastest.

Neither is the brightest bulb; in fact, the only one with any sense (and future in their field of choice) is Charlie, who is held back by a Catholic duty to help his cousin Johnny. Scorsese moves his camera artfully and has put together a engaging, performance-centric story that's at turns darkly funny and a desparing examination of petty crime and criminals--those who find owning and using a gun a suitable substitute for an ego.

Strong picture; as expected.