A Bronx Tale

Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato
Written by: Chazz Palminteri
Director: Robert De Niro
Year: 1993

Rating: * * * 1/2  Stars       +       (Fan Bonus - 1/2 )  Total: * * * *




Perhaps one of the most overlooked film of the "mob-movie genre" in the last 30 years. It takes a unique perspective of the mob from that of a neighborhood kid, who struggles to do the right thing when his upbringing is divided between his hard working father and Mob Boss Sonny.


Robert De Niro steps into uncertain ground as he not only makes his directorial debut, but also goes against type and plays the role of Lorenzo Anello, the neighborhood bus driver. Lorenzo is a poor, but hard working man trying to instill the value of a dollar and a good work ethic in his son. Unfortunately, he lives near the neighborhood mob bar.


Set in the 50's and early 60's, the film centers around the character of Lorenzo's son, Calogero, who later earns the street name of just "C." At the age of 9, we see Calogero and his friends hanging outside imitating local neighborhood regulars, including Boss Sonny (played by Chazz Palminteri). It's obvious from the beginning that the neighborhood kids admire Sonny. He's got money, power, and is respected in the neighborhood. What sets the film off is when Calogero witnesses a shooting perpetrated by Sonny. The police arrive and call on Calogero and his father to come outside in a inprompt line-up to i.d. the shooter. Even at 9, Calogero knows the law of the streets and that is not to be a rat, so he tells the police it wasn't Sonny. 


This earns Sonny's respect and begins to take the kid under his wing.  He has the kid do small time errunds such as serve drinks and run numbers. Calogero begins making more money than his Dad, who finds out and confronts Sonny asking him to leave his boy alone.


The movie then jumps a few years ahead, and C (Lillo Brancato) is now 16 years old. While his father disapproves of his son's involvement with the neighborhood bar, C still hangs out with Sonny. What makes this dynamic so compelling is how Sonny treats C. He's more of a father figure to C, giving him sound advise on life, love and relationships. Although a criminal himself, Sonny guides C through the nuances of street life to insure that C doesn't become a criminal. He tries to keep the other neighborhood kids from influencing him, as they are already involved in petty acts like theft and vandalism. 


Lorenzo, is a good parent, but he isn't perfect. At one point C falls for a colored girl, and when asking what his father thought about that, Lorenzo comments that people should keep to their own. Lorenzo doesn't come off racist, but rather reflects the attitudes of the era. Sonny, on the other hand is more progressive and encourages C by saying no one else's opinion matters. If she makes you happy, so what.


Ultimately, C grows up under a lot of pressure from his father, Sonny, the neighborhood kids, peer pressure and social pressure. The film wonderfully illustrates his confusion as he ultimately just wants to do right, but right by whom? His father? Sonny? His Peers? Finally, he learns he needs to do right by himself.


Chazz, both writes and plays Sonny so compelling, we almost forget he's a violent mob criminal. He's fully three dimensional, and we even empathize with his situation. We begin to feel that he enjoys being feared and respected, but yet regrets having to be. Perhaps why he takes such an interest in assuring C doesn't get involved in the more seedy aspects of his life. Robert De Niro, does a fantastic job as a director. The film is paced well, shot beautifully, and conveyed the moral and ethical message of the film. At over 120 minutes, De Niro does not shortcut the narrative to keep to studios more marketable 90 minute run time. As an actor, it was great seeing him in a role contrary to his other mob-movie roles where he plays the mobster.


While not as violent as other movies of this type, there is still plenty of violence. However, the film does illustrate the consequences of violence. People get hurt, relationships are damaged, and even Sonny has to choose between fear or love when it looks like C might be responsible in trying to kill him. 


If you're a fan of mob-movies, you owe it to yourself to see this film.






SEE THE TRAILER: A Bronx Tale