Before The Departed, before Casino, before Goodfellas there was this, Mean Streets directed by (guess who) Martin Scorsese and the first of his films to feature (guess who again) Robert De Niro. After watching it, I can say nothing worse than this is one of my favourite films ever, and certainly my favourite by Scorsese.

Mean Streets is set in New York and follows the story of Charlie (Harvey Keitel) and his struggle to resolve Johnny Boy’s (De Niro) debts with some loan sharks. Basically, it’s Martin Scorsese telling the story of his life growing up in New York. Oddly, the story structure is loosely reminiscent of Pulp Fiction. Unlike Casino and Goodfellas, however, the film isn’t glitzy or glamourous. Not that Goodfellas or Casino dressed up organized crime, but that Mean Streets is pretty much what it says on the tin: mean streets.

It’s the direction here that really shines though, particularly the pool scene which is both amusing and impressive to watch. There are a number of intuitive techniques such as when Keitel passes out, the camera is glued to him and follows his stumbly posture from start to finish. There’s also the use of voice-over narration in the present tense. The character and his thoughts have different voices, as well, giving a more split personality approach to Keitel as Scorsese provides the quick talking narration.

In terms of music, over half of the low budget was spent on buying the rights and it was worth. Songs from The Rolling Stones as well as some more abstract ones which you really wouldn’t expect to hear in a film of this manner make the action on screen even more quirky and unique.

At the end of the day, a great script, an innovative director, a fabulous cast and a smashing soundtrack makes Mean Streets an unforgettable, brilliant adventure to enjoy again and again.

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