'Mean Streets (1973)' is seasoned with sprinklings of greatness, at times showing shades of what Scorsese would go on to do (i.e. 'Goodfellas (1990)'). Despite some solid acting throughout and a few entertaining sequences, though, the film generally falls flat thanks to the fact that there really isn't all that much of a plot and, as such, there isn't any real drama to latch onto. The result is a picture which feels much longer than it is and is also actually rather boring, floating along from set-piece to set-piece without any compelling connective tissue. It ends just as it seems to get going, too. 5/10

Having watched a number of (director) Martin Scorecese's profane/violent crime films - some good, some bad - his first entry here is very different from the rest in one crucial aspect: it's boring!! Love him or hate him, you can't say that about his other films.

This film just doesn't have much life to it. Yes, there is some action but something is missing, perhaps characters that one could care about. After a while, I found I just did not care what happened...period. I canned it with 40 minutes to go. A dozen years later, I gave it another shot, and it was still just as boring and unappealing.

The only interesting facet was to see such young-and-skinny well-known actors like Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. Otherwise, these "mean streets" are nothing but a dead end, so turn around and head in another direction. Don't waste your gas.

"Mean Streets" is a tough film for me to review because I am not particularly a fan of modern gangster movies. I tend to find them overly violent, overly bloody and overly nasty. That being said, I do think "Mean Streets" is a well made film...though not exactly a pleasant one or one I'd recommend folks rush out to rent.

Despite Robert De Niro being listed in the lead, Karvey Keitel is the leading man in this story. Keitel plays Charlie....a gangster who is a relatively low level thug. Even lower is his friend, Johnny (De Niro). They are a very odd pair, as Charlie seems more thoughtful and folks like him. As for Johnny, he's a walking liability--as he's unpredictable, easy to hate and a mook. And, the viewer has the strong feeling that eventually SOMETHING bad has to happen....as Johnny can't keep burning all of his friends. What that is, frankly, was interesting but the finale also wasn't exactly satisfying because so many things are left unresolved.

Overall, this is a film I recommend you see only if you are a huge Martin Scorsese fan. Otherwise, think twice before you see it because the film is pretty nasty for 1973--with ample cursing, violence, blood and boobs.