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Mean Streets
1973 112 min United States of America R 16+
★7.7
Drama, Crime
Director: Martin Scorsese
Trailers
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Description
A small-time hood must choose from among love, friendship and the chance to rise within the mob.
Budget:
$500,000
US Gross:
$32,645
Worldwide:
$3M
Starring
Robert De Niro
Actor
Harvey Keitel
Actor
David Proval
Actor
Awards
5 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
Mean Streets is widely recognized as a raw, authentic cornerstone of Scorsese’s filmography that captures the visceral reality of 1970s Little Italy. While many viewers praise its groundbreaking performances and immersive atmosphere, others find its loose narrative structure and lack of traditional genre stakes to be meandering or underdeveloped.
| Acting | The naturalistic, high-energy performances of Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel anchor the film, providing a magnetic intensity that drives the character-focused narrative. | |
| Direction | Scorsese’s direction creates a gritty, window-like realism that elevates the mundane lives of street-level characters into a poignant, Dostoevskian tragedy. | |
| Cinematography | The film utilizes experimental cinematography and unconventional camera angles to craft a distinct, vibrant visual language that distinguishes it from polished studio gangster films. | |
| Screenplay | The loose, semi-improvisational screenplay divides viewers: some appreciate its authentic, slice-of-life realism, while others criticize the lack of a clear, driving plot and meaningful stakes. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, slow-burn pacing is polarizing, offering an immersive experience for those interested in character study while feeling exhausting or boring to those expecting traditional crime-thriller momentum. |