Mean Streets

Mean Streets is a 1973 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Martin Scorsese and Mardik Martin. The film stars Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel as two small-time hoodlums in New York City's Little Italy, and features a soundtrack with music by Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and The New York Dolls. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival and was released by Warner Bros. in 1973. The film's success helped establish Martin Scorsese as a major director, and it has since been recognized as a classic of American cinema by the Library of Congress and the National Film Registry.

● Introduction

The film **Mean Streets** is set in the early 1970s in New York City's Little Italy, where crime and violence are rampant. The film's story is loosely based on the experiences of Martin Scorsese growing up in Little Italy, and it features a cast of characters inspired by people he knew, including Robert De Niro's character, who was based on a friend of Martin Scorsese's from New York University. The film's themes of crime, violence, and redemption are reminiscent of other classic films, such as **The Godfather**, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. The film's use of location shooting in New York City adds to its gritty realism, and its influence can be seen in later films, such as **Taxi Driver**, also directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro.

● Plot

The film tells the story of two small-time hoodlums, Charlie Cappa (played by Harvey Keitel) and Johnny Boy (played by Robert De Niro), who are trying to make a living in New York City's Little Italy. The two characters are inspired by people Martin Scorsese knew growing up in Little Italy, and their story is loosely based on the experiences of Martin Scorsese and his friends. The film's plot is driven by the characters' relationships with each other and with other characters, including Teresa (played by Amy Robinson), a woman who is in love with Charlie Cappa, and **Michael Powell**, a local gangster who is a friend of Charlie Cappa's. The film's climax features a violent confrontation between Charlie Cappa and **Giovanni Lombardo Radice**, a local gangster who is trying to take over the neighborhood.

● Production

The film was produced by **Jonathan Taplin** and directed by **Martin Scorsese**, who also co-wrote the screenplay with **Mardik Martin**. The film was shot on location in **New York City**'s **Little Italy**, and it features a cast of characters inspired by people **Martin Scorsese** knew growing up in the neighborhood. The film's cinematography was handled by **Kent L. Wakeford**, and the editing was done by **Sidney Levin**. The film's soundtrack features music by **Eric Clapton**, **The Rolling Stones**, and **The New York Dolls**, and it was released by **Warner Bros.** in 1973. The film's success helped establish **Martin Scorsese** as a major director, and it has since been recognized as a classic of American cinema by the **Library of Congress** and the **National Film Registry**.

● Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising its gritty realism and its portrayal of life in **New York City**'s **Little Italy**. The film was praised by critics such as **Roger Ebert** and **Gene Siskel**, who praised its direction and its performances. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $3 million at the box office and helping to establish **Martin Scorsese** as a major director. The film's success can be attributed to its influence from other classic films, such as **The Godfather**, directed by **Francis Ford Coppola** and starring **Marlon Brando** and **Al Pacino**. The film has since been recognized as a classic of American cinema by the **Library of Congress** and the **National Film Registry**, and it continues to be studied by film scholars and historians, including **Pauline Kael** and **Andrew Sarris**.

● Themes

The film explores several themes, including crime, violence, and redemption, which are all central to the story. The film's portrayal of life in **New York City**'s **Little Italy** is also a major theme, and it is influenced by **Martin Scorsese**'s own experiences growing up in the neighborhood. The film's use of location shooting in **New York City** adds to its gritty realism, and its influence can be seen in later films, such as **Taxi Driver**, also directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**. The film's themes are also reminiscent of other classic films, such as **The Godfather**, directed by **Francis Ford Coppola** and starring **Marlon Brando** and **Al Pacino**, and **Goodfellas**, directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**, **Joe Pesci**, and **Ray Liotta**.

● Legacy

The film's legacy is significant, and it continues to be studied by film scholars and historians, including **Pauline Kael** and **Andrew Sarris**. The film's influence can be seen in later films, such as **Taxi Driver**, also directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**, and **Goodfellas**, directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**, **Joe Pesci**, and **Ray Liotta**. The film has also been recognized as a classic of American cinema by the **Library of Congress** and the **National Film Registry**, and it continues to be celebrated for its gritty realism and its portrayal of life in **New York City**'s **Little Italy**. The film's success helped establish **Martin Scorsese** as a major director, and it has since been followed by a number of other classic films, including **Raging Bull**, directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**, and **Casino**, directed by **Martin Scorsese** and starring **Robert De Niro**, **Sharon Stone**, and **Joe Pesci**.

Category:American films