New York’s Grit Through a Cinematic Lens

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MOVIE REVIEW
Mean Streets
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 1973, 2023 Region Free 4K Second Sight
Runtime: 1h 52m
Director(s): Martin Scorsese
Writer(s): Martin Scorsese, Mardik Martin
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, Amy Robinson
Where To Watch: available January 15, 2024; pre-order here www.secondsightfilms.co.uk, or www.amazon.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: Martin Scorsese's MEAN STREETS, a jewel from the 1970s cinema treasure chest, opened a new chapter in film storytelling. Featuring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro, whose performances here were just the starting line of their celebrated careers, the film is a raw, objective look at life in Little Italy, New York. It captures the dilemma of characters caught between lofty aspirations and the magnetic pull of the criminal underworld.

MEAN STREETS brings a compelling blend of ambition and internal conflict to the screen. Keitel's portrayal of Charlie is entangled in the criminal web of the dark side of New York. At the same time, De Niro's character, Johnny Boy, adds a layer of unpredictability, energizing the plot with his volatile nature. Little Italy transforms into a living, breathing entity that adds authenticity and depth to the story.

In his early directorial days, Scorsese showed an exceptional ability to heighten a scene's mood with his musical selections. Incorporating rock tracks, notably by the Rolling Stones, he infused MEAN STREETS with an undeniable vibrancy. This harmonious blend of visuals and soundtrack amplifies the narrative and immerses the audience in a more prosperous, textured world.

Despite its many strengths, MEAN STREETS isn't without its flaws. The pacing occasionally hits a snag, with certain scenes feeling extraneous. However, the film's energy and the compelling performances by Keitel and De Niro and the rest of the cast make these moments easy to overlook, maintaining the audience's engagement throughout.

The film's significance in the genre's evolution and Scorsese's filmography is monumental. MEAN STREETS set the tone for Scorsese's future landmark films. Its blend of spontaneous, lifelike elements and a documentary-style narrative showcases Scorsese's emerging creative flair and filmmaking innovation.

This portrayal of New York is a triumph of cinematic authenticity. He doesn't just depict; he immerses the audience in the period, complete with a tangible Mafia presence and the era's social complexities. The characters are portrayed as fully fleshed-out individuals, each with their intricate backstories and motivations.

The film's 50th anniversary has been commemorated with a breathtaking 4K restoration, personally overseen by Scorsese. This restoration is stunning in nearly every way; it feels like you’re watching a film on TV, not just a digital copy, offering new and returning audiences an opportunity to experience the movie as it was initially envisioned.

MEAN STREETS is a shining example of Scorsese's early directorial prowess. It intricately weaves the stories of complex characters set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America. While it may not be the apex of Scorsese's filmography, it is an indispensable cinematic work, offering a glimpse into the formative years of a director who would leave an indelible mark on the landscape of modern cinema (even if I’ve personally taken issues with some of his statements in the past few years.)

Special Features
– Dual format edition including both UHD and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs
– New 4K restoration supervised and approved by Director Martin Scorsese and Collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker
– Restored original mono audio
– UHD presented in Dolby Vision HDR
– New audio commentary by Demetrios Matheou (author of BFI Films Classics Mean Street) and David Thompson (Co-Editor of Scorsese on Scorsese)
– Scene-specific audio commentary with Martin Scorsese and Actor Amy Robinson
– Keep Moving Forward: a new interview with Producer Jonathan T Taplin
– Saints and Sinners: Dr Catherine Wheatley on Mean Streets
– 2011 Film at Lincoln Center screening introduction, interview, and Q&A with Martin Scorsese
– Mardik: Baghdad to Hollywood feature-length documentary
– Archive featurette: Back on the Block
– Archive featurette: Home Movies
– Trailer

Limited Edition Contents
– Rigid slipcase with original artwork
– 178-page book with new essays by Mark Asch, Daniel Bird, Charles Bramesco, Lillian Crawford, Elena Lazic, Manuela Lazic, and Christina Newland, and an Extract from Scorsese on Scorsese
– Eight collectors' art cards

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[photo courtesy of SECOND SIGHT]