Review of Mean Streets (1973) by Nic A — 18 Aug 2012
Follows two guys through life in Little Italy. The dialogue is the focus in Mean Streets, and it shows, as that is its major strength. However, there's not much of a story here. Yet, it doesn't really need it.
The point is to show a slice of life. Mean Streets has influenced multiple generations of movies, and it's pretty evident if you've seriously watched movies in any capacity. I think I saw every Italian stereotype that's been copied in every gangster movie since.
Yet, because it was the first, it suffers a bit. It's raw and unpolished, and shows Scorsese's inexperience. Perhaps other movies have copied it, which in many people's minds would make them inferior, but a lot have perfected the formula Mean Streets laid down.
As a movie, it's not a masterpiece. However, it's influence is undeniable and if I were rating on that, it'd be a 4.5.
This review of Mean Streets (1973) was written by Nic A on 18 Aug 2012.
Mean Streets has generally received very positive reviews.
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