Mean Streets

Mean Streets is an early Martin Scorsese film starring [Harvey Keitel]? and Robert De Niro. Charlie (Keitel) is a man who is trying to move up in the crime world and who is hampered by his responsibility towards his dimwitted cousin (De Niro). Charlie is in love with a woman who has epilepsy and works for his uncle collecting debts; his uncle disapproves of his girlfriend because she has epilepsy. Additionally Charlie, who had a strict Catholic? upbringing, is probably too forgiving in general to get far in the mafia.

Scorsese's feature film debut, after his student film project [Whos That Knocking at My Door]?, Mean Streets was based on events Scorsese saw growing up in Little Italy. Released in 1973; features a memorable early 60s soundtrack. De Niro won the [National Society of Film Critics]? award for Best Actor for his role as Johnny Boy Cervello.