In countless ways, right down to the detail of modern TV crime shows, Mean Streets is one of the source points of modern movies.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Its greatness lies in its leanness, with nary a word, a move, a gesture that's nonessential.
– Kevin Thomas,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb 2001
fresh:
No matter how bleak the milieu, no matter how heartbreaking the narrative, some films are so thoroughly, beautifully realized they have a kind of tonic effect that has no relation to the subject matter.
– Vincent Canby,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
Scorsese is exceptionally good at guiding his largely unknown cast to near-flawless recreations of types. Outstanding in this regard is De Niro.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
31 Mar 2008
fresh:
The acting and editing have such an original, tumultuous force that the picture is completely gripping.