Mean Streets . Austin Chronicle . 07-27-98

Mean Streets

DIRECTED BY: Martin Scorsese

REVIEWED: 07-27-98

Scorsese's debut feature about small-time hustlers in Little Italy is as gritty as a mouthful of sand. Keitel plays Charlie, a numbers runner caught between trying to protect his loved ones and trying to protect himself. Robert De Niro cuts his teeth playing psychotic moxie as the destructive, volatile Johnny Boy, but other supporting members turn in memorable performances as well (watch for David Carradine's swift snuff by younger brother Robert). Also debuting are the deft strokes of style that would eventually define Scorsese's filmmaking and come to such brilliant realization in films like GoodFellas - the stalking camera; choppy flashes of insight; bar scenes flooded with red; and layers upon layers of American rock music (and, of course, one great Stones song). I count just seven full-blown brawls, but decay, animosity, and indifference lurk around every corner.

--Sarah Hepola

Other Films by Martin Scorsese
A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies
Bringing Out the Dead
Casino
Kundun
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
The Last Temptation of Christ

Film Vault Suggested Links
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The This World
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