Absolutely one of my favorite films.
I would almost call it the "anti-Godfather" or "anti-Goodfellas." For me, one of the best parts of the film will always be the brawl in the poolroom. No fancy Hollywood-style fight choreography; it is clumsy, ungainly, and fits perfectly into the film.
I know that some previous posters on the BB have called Mean Streets dull and uninvolving, but I think they're missing something here. This is not a story about the Vito Corleones, this is a story about the low-level people.
Scorcese perfectly captures the feel of everything - the film just works on so many levels. You are drawn in and believe the characters, the atmosphere, etc.
What I found most telling is that by the end of the film, none of the characters achieves any of their goals.
Definitely a film that improves with each viewing.
Signor V.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
"No. Saints and poets, maybe... they do some."
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