1973
Directed by Martin Scorsese
It is our first Scorsese film, ladies and gentlemen, and seeing Robert De Niro look so young touched my shriveled heart. I think the actors' youth had something to do with the fact that I liked this a lot more than I usually like New York mafia movies. The three main characters were so boyish it was hard to be mad at them.
I am about to reveal something rather shocking. The Book makes a mistake in this entry. The Book claims that Charlie and Johnny Boy are cousins. And because Charlie is sleeping with Johnny Boy's cousin, that would mean...well, you can connect the dots. However, Charlie and Johnny Boy are actually just friends so no incest is happening here. HA HA HA STUPID BOOK! I am sorry. I think I am still harboring resentment from having to watch Pink Flamingos.
Ahem...anyway. Charlie is trying to "make it" in the New York mafia, but must reconcile with his Catholic guilt. Good luck with that. He is also hampered by his FRIEND Johnny Boy who recklessly gambles and pisses off powerful men. Charlie is also having an affair with Johnny Boy's epileptic cousin, who he, of course, is a total dick to.
Let's start with the good points. The soundtrack to this film was fantastic. Apparently, it was about half the film's budget, but it was worth it. If you want to hear more dazzling musical insights like this, check out my album blog! Anyway, I was laughing at quite a few scenes (seriously, what is a mook?) and found the characters to be, if not completely likable then at least not completely contemptible. However, my sister pointed out that women in this movie are quite literally treated like objects. They are thrown around, they are used as decorations, and it is not until Teresa starts twitching uncontrollably that anyone actually pays attention to her. Well, at least one guy does...the other walks away. Are my readers sick of me complaining about sexism in these movies? I am too.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
First time Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese collaborated. Awwwwwwwww
Martin Scorsese picked much of the music from the soundtrack from his own record collection. I love this guy even more now.
Sorry Amanda, I really disliked this one. OK, let me qualify a little. it's a good, well made, well acted film. My fault for not getting beyond simply HATING, loathing most of the characters. especialy Johnny boy. I'm afraid I just wanted the irritating, objectionable, irresposible, selfish little S**t bumped off ASAP.
ReplyDeleteSee, I can do reactionary bigot as well as the next person.
Oh, do you mind if I clarify something I've thought, but never been fully sure about. You often mention 'my sister' .. is your sister frequent fellow commentator and all round good taste in films person, Rachel? (Rachel, you get the compliment because you back me on 'Cat People as well as for pointing out the rather gross treatment of women - hey and men as well - by these .. characters - we are supposed to sympathise and care about')
Yes, that is my sister! She always has great insight. She is going through the book too, in chronological order, but she is a bit behind me.
DeleteLove this movie :) Check out "Laws of Gravity" 1992 made by Nick Gomez who loved this movie too and very similar :)
ReplyDeleteOkay thanks for the tip!
DeleteI think I am more I line with Ray than you, Amanda, on this one. I found Johnny generally annoying and Charlie a complete hypocrite. It is fun to watch an early Scorcese movie, but perhaps too early. It felt like the script could have benefitted from a but more polish.
ReplyDelete