Rating: 
Summary: I obviously missed the point...
Review: I found this film to be anticlimatic, and not that interesting. (I thought the ending was a real letdown, in contrast to those who thought it was so terrific). After reading positive reviews I was really looking forward to a great tale, but didnt see much of a plot. It seems to me that if it wasnt for the big names in this film, it would be a forgotten one. If you like DeNiro, and dont mind older films, Deer Hunter is a much better film and much more thought provoking. That film has a point (perhaps Mean Streets had one but if it did it was too boring for me to notice), and is worth multiple viewings. I probably wouldnt waste my time watching Mean Streets again.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but a bit dated
Review: Great acting by the buddies but this world doesnt exist anymore- New York's Greenwich Village is all yuppie now.
Rating: 
Summary: But what IS a 'mook'?
Review: Martin Scorsese's most autobiographical movie bestows an energy and a vibrancy that hasn't diminished in the 30 years since it was made. Part of this wonderful energy is created by Scorsese's use of music, a cinematic trait he has continued to use successfully in all of his best movies. In fact in 'Mean Streets', Scorsese's use of 2 different styles of music, Italian and rock, can be seen as an expression of the divergence between the older and younger members of the Italian-American community in which he grew up. Scorsese himself valued the use of music so much, that he was willing to fork out $30,000 just for the rights to use the 2 Rolling Stones songs in the picture and this in a movie which cost $750,000 to make.Another powerful aspect of the film is the acting. Along with the intense charactarizations created by the actors, there also seems to be quite a lot of improvisation used (especially in the backroom scene where DeNiro tries to explain his losses to Kietel). This creates an air of pathetic authenticity, a welcome attribute in most of Scorsese's films. Ironically despite the fact that the film is set on the 'Mean Streets' of New York, all the interior shots were filmed in L.A. with a different camera crew than the one that shot the exterior shots in Manhatten. The film is also a visual document of the decline of Little Italy, much of which today is just an extended part of Chinatown. A 'mook' by the way is Neapolition for bigmouth.
Rating:
Summary: Johnny Boy!!!!
Review: Warning: Spoilers here!....I first saw this movie several years ago on vhs after my sister told me excitedly how great it was. I watched it then and was bored and gave up on it. I rewatched it last month after wanting to see every Robert DeNiro film and I have changed me mind.....this is a must-see film if you like DeNiro or Harvey Keitel or want to see the most underrated Scorcese-DeNiro collaboration. This was not DeNiro's entrance to film. He had been in several films starting in 1968 before this, but this is the one where his career took off. American cinema was never the same. DeNiro's entrance as the reckless Johnny Boy in this film is literally explosive and you'll see why. To me, the most memorable scene in this movie is his second appearance where he walks into the restaurant w/2 females. This is an incredible scene!!! Jumpin jack flash plays as Scorcese makes good use of slow motion. DeNiro's smile is pure cinema!! You know w/this entrance in the overly-red lit bar and smoke that Johnny Boy is going to a Scorcese 'hell' and not coming back. This too-short scene is significant in that Charlie, played by Keitel, has just asked for a sign from above and this is what he gets and from then on has to pay for Johnny's 'sins'. Mean Streets has a strong beginning which I loved. Charlie says "You don't make up for your sins in church, you do it at home, you do it in the streets" so there is Catholic guilt and the familiar themes that frequent most of Scorcese's films. This film does have a lot of profane language (I wish the dialogue had been better) but it does have some very memorable lines/quotes.
The first 3 songs flow nicely and go well w/the film. The 50-'s music is enjoyable and serves a purpose, not like the see-the-film-buy-the-soundtrack ripoff they serve you these days. He also intercuts authentic Italian music into the score. I've never seen Keitel's acting better than in this film. He has been unrecognized by industry because he chooses unhollywood roles. His Charlie is a likeable character who really tries to help out his friend, Johnny Boy, who always gets into trouble therefore causing trouble for Charlie, and Theresa, Charlie's cousin. Charlie's mob uncle tells him to stay away from Theresa becuase he is prejudiced against epilepsy so we see Charlie's struggle w/wanting to better his life and break away from Johnny Boy's silly punk antics and please his uncle and his loyalty to his friend and girlfriend. Charlie does try to cheat on his girlfriend who loves him, so that I do not understand.
The local mean loanshark keeps pressuring Charlie to get Johnny Boy to straighten up and pay off his big debts. Johnny Boy is childish, irresponsible, starts fights and I wondered why Charlie would put his life on the line for him but I guess he does because they were childhood friends. I wish the movie were longer so they could have explored that more. DeNiro's performance is so charismatic, full of life and energy and riveting, that I couldn't take my eyes off him! DeNiro did not grow up in the streets or a slum but is pretty convincing. I absolutely LOVE his accent as Johnny B! He speaks w/an interesting cadence, rhythm that stands out and will stay in your head long after the film is over. He is very sexy w/his hat and gum-chewing. Watch the Godfather dvd features dvd and you'll see a short snippet of DeNiro's screen test as Sonny for the Godfather Part 1. He didn't get the role, but Coppola after seeing his performance in Mean Streets, knew he could play the young Don Vito for Godfather 2.
One scene that was improvised is where Keitel is talking to DeNiro in the back of the restaurant. Again, this is banal talk, but the off-the-cuff way the quickfire lines are spoken is refreshing and realistic and funny.
I feel that more males would like this film than females as I was put off by the mysogynistic language & I wished they hadn't put in the anti-Asian comments. This movie does not have a strong plot but it was meant as more of a slice-of-life portrait of its characters. American 1970's cinema like this was so much better and had socially-relevant thems unlike the mindless trash put out today. This film shows you what New York in the early 70's was like. For this performance, De Niro won the New York Critics Best Supporting Actor Award.
Its really frustrating to see how much Charlie is trying to help Johnny B and then he messes it up every time! Watch for the scene after their big fight in the hallway where Johhny selfishly walks away from Theresa's epileptic fit. Charlie straightens him out (or tries to) outside and look at the expression on DeNiro's face. He's face protrays vulnerability, fear, and a low intelligence (like in his 1973 film "Bang the Drum Slowly") but we want him to not get hurt and pay off those debts!
The point-of-no-return for Johhny is when he fatally pulls out a gun and Charlie tries to save him by getting him in his car for a getaway. He instead dances away in the night, a classic DeNiro moment. I give this 4 1/2 stars as I was unhappy w/the ending as I didn't know what happens after that and its abrupt but realistic. I really hope Keitel and DeNiro make more films together! Add this film to your collectionfor a more realistic portrayal of small-time hoods. Check out my other DeNiro reviews!
Rating:
Summary: The best movie of all time.
Review: I did an earlier review of this movie saying that it was a '(...) good movie.' Well, after watching this the 2nd time, (soon to be 3rd), I can honestly say that this is the best movie of all time. Everything you want in a movie is all in here. Character study, drama, violence, great music, language, subplots, everything. Every character has their own unique personality. The 'plot' of the movie is that Charlie (played by Harvey Keitel), a hustler who is obssesed with religion, has to make sure that Jonny Boy (played by Robert DeNiro), a punk kid who owes a lot of money to his 'friends,' pays them back. I know the plot sounds simple, but it isn't. Scorsese uses character studies instead of following the plot. The first few minutes have a plot, but then it goes off in a new and very cool direction.
There is a resonable amount of fighting, but then, you sort of expect that from a GANGSTER MOVIE! What else would you expect? The bar room scene is my personal favorite in terms of violent scenes from the movie. That one scene has some black comedy in it, and it is hilarious to see Robert DeNiro beating a guy up with a broken pool stick. I guess that's just me, then. Oh well. Though Harvey Keitel and Robet DeNiro are incredible, David Proval and Richard Romanus are awesome. They too are like a team, and the car scene where they found out they were 'stiffed' by some punk kids is pretty funny. And, the Carradine brothers are in this also (They play very small roles.) Words are not enough to say how great this movie is. Anyone who wants to find a great independent film should get this one. It is the best movie that Scorsese eer did, and the best movie ever.
Rating:
Summary: A Landmark in American Movies, one of the greatest.
Review: Martin Scorsese's first masterpiece. Mean Streets is so well made in every aspect of filmmaking, not 1 frame should be changed. If you want to learn how to be a director, watch Mean Streets. It's almost an autobiographical film for Scorsese and it expands on a short film he made while in film school. (Street Scenes) This is the most underrated film that I know of. Powerful performances by De Niro and Keitel. So many unforgettable scenes... I love the way this movie was shot! So much style..and nothing is forced, everytime the camera moves it only helps tell the story better. A film like this could never be made today, only in the 70's. It's real, it's the truth, it's personal, it actually means something. I'm amazed at some of the negative reviews. How is this movie boring? I can watch it over and over and never be bored. I guess it's a filmmaker's film. Those that like the works of John Cassavettes, Orsen Wells, and Martin Scorsese, enjoy. I guess the rest of you can watch Spiderman... What great filmmaking! HaHa
Rating:
Summary: The start of the greatest actor/director partnership in film
Review: Talk to any actor or any director and they're more than likely to tell you that a strong working relationship is essential to making a quality picture. The partnership between De Niro and Scorsese is one that has spawned some of the best films in the history of American cinema. From "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull" to "Good Fellas", "Cape Fear", and "Casino", it all started right here, with "Mean Streets". "Mean Streets" tells the story of 2 young men, Charlie and Johnny Boy, trying to make their way in New York's Little Italy. Charlie is the nephew of a local mob boss and Johnny Boy is a gambler with a lot of debt. Charlie tries to do all he can for his friend Johnny Boy to help him out with his money troubles, but Johnny Boy keeps messing things up. He keeps spending his money and disrespecting the wrong people. Admist his attempts to help out a friend, Charlie also has problems of his own to deal with. After his uncle takes control of a restaurant, Charlie sees opportunity knocking at his door, but he worries about how his friendship with Johnny and his relationship with Johnny's cousin will affect his chances at getting to run the business. Charlie also spends much of his time dealing with his Catholic guilt. Religion plays a fairly significant role in Charlie's life, as does his criminal career, and the 2 obviously do not go together well. The third film in a career that spans over 30 years, this was the movie that put Scorsese on the map as one of the greatest directors in America cinema. Keitel and De Niro also got major career boosts from this film. A landmark picture, not only for the launching of three of the most successful film careers in the last 3 decades, but also a monumental achievement in itself. Even if De Niro, Scorsese, and Keitel all never made another movie after this, it would still be fantastic in my eyes. The wiriting, direction, performances, and editing are all top notch here. The dialog is very natural and absorbing and the directing is remarkable. The cinematography is fantastic, as is the norm in Scorsese's movies. The camera work in the scene were Johnny walks into the bar in the beginning of the movie is great, and the use of the red lighting is brilliant. The performances here are what really steals the show, though. Harvey Keitel is terrific as Charlie and De Niro is extremely engaging as Johnny Boy. Johnny Boy is one of my favorite characters out of De Niro's entire filmography. He's so charismatic and the screen presence he brings is awe inspiring. It's impossible to take your eyes off of him. Johnny Boy is an immensly likable character in many ways (at least I thought so), which is very important in this kind of film. In movies like this where the responsible friend lays it all on the line for his screw up buddy, the audience will never get it unless they can end up liking the screw up as much as the responsible friend does. The viewer needs to be able to see why someone would be willing to risk their future for this guy. De Niro doesn't dissapoint in the least in that aspect, or in any other for that matter. For fans of De Niro and/or Scorsese, this film is absolutely essential veiwing. Without this film, we wouldn't have "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull", "Good Fellas" or any other films by De Niro and Scorsese. This film is one of the most significant in the history of American cinema in the last 35 years. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, bad DVD
Review: Scorsese's Mean Streets is a great movie and probably the best acting effort by young Robert deNiro. This is a excellently told tale of friendshipt and mob in the streets of New York, and in my opinion a lot better than Goodfellas. The DVD has its flaws and honestly, this movie deserves a DVD rerelease on a anamorphically enhanced DVD with better sound and many extras. But until that happens, grab some bucks and get this, because for Scorsese fans, this is a must!
Rating:
Summary: A Sign of Things to Come!!
Review: Martin Scorsese was just getting started with his career when he directed this awesome independent film. This movie has all the elements in future Scorsese films. Gangsters, violence, etc. Watch this film first and then see his other works. It's an achievement of mammoth purportions and a sign of things to come!
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible film!
Review: My only reason for seeing this film is because Robert DeNiro is in it. Good 1960's music and good Italian music, but good music doesn't always make a film good. This is a horrible film. Waste of my time.
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