Review of Mean Streets (1973) by Jim K — 12 Nov 2008

Mean Streets is Martin Scorsese's early entry in the crime/gangster genre. We see New York, guns, crime, mafia, violence.... we even see Scorsese's mother in the film (she appeared in 8 of his films, this being her third appearance). The crime is definitely low-level- A loan shark and his friend taking $20 from some teenagers looking for fireworks, a scuffle in a pool hall, shooting a gun on a roof at nobody. Mean Streets is more a film about a neighborhood (Little Italy in New York), friendship, and loyalty. It would appear that this is a personal story for Scorsese, as he grew up in New York City.

The gangsters aren't as powerful and brutal as in his later films, yet we get an early look at their tactics and how they're perceived in the neighborhood. The violent climax has a look that will be expanded upon in Taxi Driver (1976). The pool hall brawl has a certain choreography to it, with Scorsese's camera following a couple thugs roughing up a "mook". They're not really doing much to him, just slapping him around and holding him up as they circle the pool hall- a stylized glimpse at the violence to come in Scorsese's later films. His use of source music and a rock soundtrack also make an appearance, along with The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash".

Robert DeNiro gives a standout performance as the unhinged Johnny Boy, who tests the loyalty of his friend, Charlie, played by Harvey Keitel. Mean Streets is a raw, unpolished look at the rough streets of New York in the 60's & 70's.