To Think It Took Me This Long To See "Mean Streets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                          I was a tender 20 when this came came out, so why it was not on my radar I cannot remember.

                                          But seeing it now will provide lots of surprises. Imagine, seeing Harvey Keitel and Robert DeNiro so young!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            This was the film that put Martin Scorsese on the map, and deservedly so. Shot as a night in the big city of New York, it is laced with carefully selected lighting, violence and two star making performances from Keitel and DeNiro.  "Mean Streets" has no real conventional narrative, outside of these thugs going after everyone in sight for either drugs or money.  This could have been nothing.  But Scorsese's camera placement, his carefully lit night shots and the almost documentary feel to the film raise it above the level of an ordinary gangster pic.   Looking back, I asked myself, "The man who directed 'The Age Of Innocence' directed this?"  It seems inconceivable.

                                                For Scorsese fans, especially those who like me who have never seen it, "Mean Streets" is a must.  It will take you back to the director's roots and will allow viewers to see how he has evolved.  And how the city of New York has, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   "Mean Streets" will grip the viewer from start to finish!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   And eat some pasta bolognese afterward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!