Mean Streets

A small-time hood struggles to succeed on the “mean streets” of Little Italy.

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Genre:Crime / Drama
• Runtime:107 minutes

Cast

Robert De Niro : Johnny Boy
Harvey Keitel : Charlie
David Proval : Tony
Amy Robinson : Teresa
Richard Romanus : Michael

Charlie (Keitel) is an Italian-American man who is trying to move up in the local mafia and who is hampered by his feeling of responsibility towards his childish and destructive friend Johnny Boy (De Niro). Charlie works for his uncle Giovanni (who is the local caporegime), mostly collecting debts. He is also having a hidden affair with Johnny Boy’s cousin, Teresa, who has epilepsy and is ostracized because of her condition — especially by Charlie’s uncle. Charlie is torn between his devout Catholicism and his mafia ambitions. As the film progresses, Johnny becomes increasingly self-destructive, growing continually more disrespectful of his creditors. Failing to receive redemption in the church, Charlie seeks it through sacrificing himself on Johnny’s behalf. Read more