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Mean Streets
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Gritty, violent Scorsese classic has cursing, nudity, blood.

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Mean Streets
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Based on 5 parent reviews
Tame nowadays
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Strong character portrayals amidst violence and nihilism
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What's the Story?
The MEAN STREETS of New York City's Little Italy are all that Charlie (Harvey Keitel) knows, and the only life available to him is in his uncle's organized-crime business. He's torn between the woman he's falling for who wants out of the neighborhood, his faith that teaches him that the fires of hell are what awaits him, and his ambition to make life better by climbing higher in the ranks of the family business. Complicating Charlie's life is his girlfriend's cousin, Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro), who's running up debts all over the neighborhood; debts he'll never be able to pay. Charlie wants to help Johnny by protecting him and getting him to straighten up his act, but Johnny won't be tamed. And the worse things get, the more pressure that builds on both Johnny and Charlie, the closer Johnny seems to going completely off the rails.
Is It Any Good?
This early Scorsese film is now considered a classic, and fans of his, and of gangster films in general, will definitely want to see the work that shows a master really coming into his own. But Mean Streets is absolutely not for kids. Scorsese trademarks like shocking violence, tons of profanity, and adult sexual situations are well represented here. That being said, mature fans who can handle the material will especially admire the way Scorsese makes you feel like you're right there on the streets of New York City with Charlie and Johnny Boy.
It's also really much more of a character study than it is a crime thriller. Aspiring actors and movie buffs will admire the lead performances and strong supporting cast. Another Scorsese signature is stopping the story at an arbitrary place rather than wrapping things up neatly for the audience. This place, these people, and the lives they're trying to make for themselves will just keep going on and on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Mean Streets. Is it realistic? Does it make a difference if it is? How much is too much in movies, videos, and games?
What about the sexual content? Why do we see so many more women nude than men?
Is the strong language realistic? Do people really talk that way, and if they do, does that make it OK to put in movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 2, 1973
- On DVD or streaming: February 2, 2005
- Cast: Robert De Niro , Harvey Keitel
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship , History
- Run time: 112 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: April 4, 2023
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