Meanstreets (1973)

Once when Farhan Akthar director of Dil Chahta Hai was interviewed on his passion on movies ,he said “one day I want to make a movie like Mean streets”.I didn’t realise what could be this movie that day.Some day when you feel so dull or with your usual things ,you got to watch Scorsese.Scorsese is a specimen which can be never matched.Name any of his movies; every thing has its unique style ,though mostly it revolves around drug,Mafia or violence.The other day when Mathi and I were discussing on Scorsese Mrs.Mathi was furious to say Scorsese repeats his movie in different names.Mathi jumped to justify but I kept quiet,She should watch Mean streets for it uniqueness as a movie and style.

Meanstreets also involves Mafia ,Violence but it moves around friends .It deduces among two friends Good Guy Charlie( Harvey Keitel) who is the nephew of Local Mafia boss and the other guy Johnny boy ( Robert De Niero)who is mentally unstable . Charlie is tested by his friendship with Johnny Boy, whose purposeful disregard of those to whom he owes money places both in danger.

The movie stands for its technical greatness and its daring visuals through out the movie.Movie breaks lots of formula to put forth its style which later became Scorsese style.For example the stunts in the pool which looks like real life stunt and the moments of their care after it. Scorsese brings the loyalty among New York's Italian-American community in the lives of Charlie and Johnny Boy.

Movie has undoubtedly superb performance by two great actors Robert De Niero and Harvey Keitel.You can not see typical De Niero –Scorsese characterisation but its very different to see the actor who does stupid things which always puts him in danger.Harvey is a realist and he is faithful to his family,friend,Love and his religion.But he is repeatedly tested in all the aspects of his life.He doesn’t have answers as he is always bound by the rules of each of his belief.

Movie moves slow and you can not expect the fight for power or the boss of bosses attitude in this movie but it has the rarity of style to make you sit and peek in through out.It speaks from the minds of two friends and their conflicts and closeness in a unique manner.Rock music,Sin,Loyalty,comic violence every unique style has its say in this movie.It starts from the daily activities to their dreams to destination.

Meanstreets is considered to be one of the greatest of Scorsese movies and I could say its rare piece of exhibiting two variant characters and their friendship.Its a difficult film to watch as we see the characters who could have moved on a different potential but get beaten by the system and selfishness .Regardless of its characterisation and their leads it marked as one of the landmark movies of Scorsese.