A Crime Drama Gem Cillian Murphy Believes Casted ‘A Spell Over Filmmaking’ Is Available on Max

Summary:

• The Peaky Blinders actor picks a crime movie, which inspired a lot of today’s movies and series of the genre by its surprising wholesomeness.
• It follows a young mob on his way to deal with his friend’s money trouble.
• It blends dramatical and character-driven comedy elements, supported by the great cast and soundtrack.

Gaining recognition for playing the criminal authority Thomas Shelby, Cillian Murphy seems to be really into crime drama. There is an American New Wave movie, called a “formative” one by the actor, which became the source of inspiration for the whole bunch of the modern titles of the genre, including Peaky Blinders and The Sopranos.

Its plot seems to be quite banal in the beginning, as it focuses on mobs confronting other mobs. However, the main character Charlie is not a typical “cool guy” dealing with “bad guys”, he is presented the way he has his own Achilles' heel.

Indeed, his seemingly comfortable position as a nephew of a powerful mafioso is troubled by his relationship with a girl, suffering from epilepsy and rejected by Charlie’s family. Besides, which is more important, he hangs out with a reckless friend named Johnny Boy, who owes a fortune to loan sharks due to his harmful gambling habits.

The movie follows the duo’s attempts to find a way out of the gangsters’ showdown without paying too big a price for it. It even transforms into a buddy comedy, full of crisp dialogues like The Nice Guys, though it doesn't lose its deep dramatical aspect at all.

It’s definitely the crime movie’s setting that makes it stand out. It’s set in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York, which adds an obvious charm to both the characters, with the head of the gang reminiscent of Michael Corleone, and the environment in which the mobs’ crimes are performed.

Another outstanding feature of the movie is the soundtrack, as it mixes vintage Italian pop songs with late 60's rock hymnes by The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Undoubtedly, such a music choice has influenced the soundtracks of many subsequent action movies, including Quentin Tarantino ’s works.

However, the most curious aspect of the film, titled Mean Streets, is its cast. Starring Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel, it became the beginning of the life-long fruitful collaboration of these accomplished actors and the movie’s director, Martin Scorsese.

“Extraordinary energy and performances from De Niro and Keitel, with Scorsese beginning to cast a spell over filmmaking in the 1970s,” concludes Murphy.

Thus, if you like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this 1973 gem, as Mean Streets is available for streaming on HBO Max .

Source: Far Out