-via IMDb.com
When you consider how much I admire Martin Scorsese and like him as a director, it is incredibly weird, to me anyway, that I have never seen some of his finest films, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and this one, Mean Streets. Mean Streets is one of early films of Mr. Scorsese and it has some of his hallmarks evident in their infancy.
Harvey Keitel is Charlie, a smalltime debt collector for the mob, trying to balance working for his uncle, maintaining his relationships and protecting his friend, Johnny Boy. He's dating Johnny Boy's cousin behind his back even though his uncle doesn't approve. Johnny Boy is played by Robert DeNiro and is psychotic.
Both actors are intense and give great performances, Scorsese creates a very complete and compelling world. It's worth the viewing.