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8

balisongasApr 21, 2014

You can clearly see that De Niro as a director took some ideas from Scorsese's movies, like for example a main character narrating the movie in first person.

De Niro's and Palminteri's acting was very good. Lillo Brancato did great, butYou can clearly see that De Niro as a director took some ideas from Scorsese's movies, like for example a main character narrating the movie in first person.

De Niro's and Palminteri's acting was very good. Lillo Brancato did great, but not perfect.

Overall it's a great movie that has some very clever lines and moral things to say.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

jwmann2Dec 20, 2011

If you are Italian, you must see this movie. Our culture is well documented in this movie as well as the tensions we have with other racial groups. At least the way it was in the 1960s. This movie just tells a great story. http://www.fromthisseat.com

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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9

Tss5078Feb 22, 2013

For a long time, A Bronx Tale had distribution problems, was out of print, and was widely unavailable. For those reasons, I hadn't seen it since I was a kid. Watching it again years later, not only did I realize just how good a movie it is,For a long time, A Bronx Tale had distribution problems, was out of print, and was widely unavailable. For those reasons, I hadn't seen it since I was a kid. Watching it again years later, not only did I realize just how good a movie it is, but I also found that I took a lot more out of it. While being widely considered as one of the best mafia movies of all time, A Bronx Tale actually has a deeper meaning, which is not to waste the talent you have in the time you are given. I was also surprised to learn that this story is in fact the true story of Chazz Palminteri's childhood, with Chazz being a nickname for Calogero. For those of you who don't know the story, it's about the son of a bus driver, who grows up in the Bronx, right down the block from a mafia hangout. While this boy learns different things from his real family and his mafia family, who are always at odds, they actually both want the same things for this kid. A Bronx Tale isn't just another gangster movie, there is some of that, but it's really an inspirational coming of age tale that I found to be very eye opening. The cast is of course fantastic, featuring Robert De Niro, who directs and stars in the film, along with Palminteri, who wrote the film. The true irony of A Bronx Tale is surrounded by the true story of Lillo Brancato, the boy who plays Calogero. As I said the story is about discovering right from wrong and not wasting your talent, something Brancato did when he was convicted of an armed robbery, which led to the death of an off-duty police officer. There are many sides to that, but I felt it necessary to mention how ironic it is that the message of the film is actually lost on one it's stars. In closing, A Bronx Tale really is a lost gem, that lives up to all the hype, and I hope that now that's streaming on Netflix, a whole new generation will be exposed to the message it puts out there for them to hear.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

StevePulaskiJan 25, 2013

A Bronx Tale successfully brings out every emotion your system can handle. From anger, to joy, to laughter, to happiness, to sympathy, to empathy, to tears, and to, finally, satisfaction as the final scene fades into credits. This is DeA Bronx Tale successfully brings out every emotion your system can handle. From anger, to joy, to laughter, to happiness, to sympathy, to empathy, to tears, and to, finally, satisfaction as the final scene fades into credits. This is De Niro's directorial debut and he handles the challenge exquisitely. Complimented by Chazz Palminteri's slick and fearless writing that documents the struggles, the gangs, and the racism of the Bronx streets with no sugarcoating and no easy ways out.

Adapted from its stage play counterpart, A Bronx Tale focuses on the famous area in New York where little nine year old Calogero (played by Francis Capra during his tender years) is growing up on the unapologetic streets with his bus driver father Lorenzo (De Niro) and his nervous mother. Lorenzo frequently warns Calogero that "the saddest thing in life is a wasted talent," hoping that his son will take the path of untold success later in life.

One day, while sitting idly on his stoop with his buddies, Calogero witnesses a murder. The murder was made by the area mafia boss Sonny (Palminteri). Him and his crew are respected, at the same time feared for their unpredictable actions and their checkered history. When called back to the scene by detectives looking for the murderer, young Calogero lies and refuses to confess. His father is subtly proud, but warns his son that he has just done a good thing for a bad person. The good news is their family won't be on the hit list. The bad news is their family is now on the suspicious list.

Eight years later, Calogero, now played by Lillo Brancato Jr., is nicknamed "C" by Sonny and has become his main-man. His second son as well as his partner in crime. His father is somewhat oblivious to what his son has been up to recently, but he believes he can take care of himself, while still nudging him in the right direction.

Sonny's philosophy is greatly different from Lorenzo's. It's "nobody really cares." When the chips are down, who's there to care? Nobody. You're a worthless human. The brutally honest, shameless half of the glass. Sonny's philosophy sticks with Calogero, but he also keeps his father's in mind. Do the two connect? Maybe in some ambiguous, unorthodox way, but it just seems they are two contradicting ways of life. Here's a film that also shows us that if we're lucky, we get two different outlooks on life from two very different people. A man who works in a town and a man who owns it.

De Niro was in a very rough position when it came time to grab a hold of the camera for this film. He could either take the easy way out and make a Goodfellas-style mobster flick or mimic his stellar character's lifestyle in Raging Bull. But he doesn't. He most likely was the go-to guy for help with the script and offered Palminteri advice, but in no way is this another mafia film. It's a unique kind of mafia film. It shows the long-lasting and life changing effects it has on a youth growing up on the wrong side of the streets.

This greatly reminds me of a phenomenal film from the eighties that tackles the same sort of subject. The film was John Singleton's Boyz N The Hood, setting its sights on three troubled youths growing up in the hood and getting caught in the mix of crime, drugs, and racism. The film was Singleton's directorial debut as well, featured stellar performances from every actor in it, a genius script, and some fantastic honesty about the life of the hood. A Bronx Tale does the same, but centers its story around the mafia. Not glorifying the violence, not acting pretentious over other classics of the same genre, but taking a cliche and turning it into a gritty reality.

What is important to learn from A Bronx Tale is that it's a movie with values. It believes that beliefs and values should be the first thing someone should consider when in a serious situation. Sometimes we don't think about the consequences and dive right into what we think will satisfy ourselves and turn out the way we want in no time. It too forms the question; is it better to be universally loved or feared? I'd rather be a little bit of both with a strong blend of respect.

Starring: Lillo Brancato, Jr., Chazz Palminteri, Robert De Niro, Taral Hicks, Francis Capra, Kathrine Narducci, Clem Caserta, and Joe Pesci. Directed by: Robert De Niro.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

WithnailOct 30, 2010

A great film based on the true story of one of Chazz P. It started out as a one man play, then DeNiro saw it and optioned it and got it made. A wonderful story on a boy and his Bronx neighborhood and all the colorful characters , both goodA great film based on the true story of one of Chazz P. It started out as a one man play, then DeNiro saw it and optioned it and got it made. A wonderful story on a boy and his Bronx neighborhood and all the colorful characters , both good and bad. This kid is eye view of the criminals and the lure of easy money and power is alluring and seductive. The cast is wonderful and colorful, ala Godfather, shot beautifully and with humor and a peek into innocence and a world of reality of a neighborhoods dirty secret. A must see!!!… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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10

RuthlessKoopaNov 21, 2010

the best movie ive ever seen u should go rent it or do something to get this movie because it was just absolutely amazing and ij ust baught this on dvd and i have not seen a better movie than this in my opionion

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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10

oblique15Oct 13, 2013

If you`re looking for the typical Mob movie this isn`t what you`re looking for.A Bronx Tale has mob activities, but it`s much more than that. I`t teaches you how it was to live as an Italian in the 60`s.The decisions you have to make whetherIf you`re looking for the typical Mob movie this isn`t what you`re looking for.A Bronx Tale has mob activities, but it`s much more than that. I`t teaches you how it was to live as an Italian in the 60`s.The decisions you have to make whether good or bad.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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9

carloswalnutsApr 10, 2014

Pelicula del gran Robert, en la cual cuenta la historia de como un joven debe de elegir que camino escoger, el del dinero facil o del trabajo honesto como su padre, una historia simpatica, divertida y a la vez con un mensaje. Una peliculaPelicula del gran Robert, en la cual cuenta la historia de como un joven debe de elegir que camino escoger, el del dinero facil o del trabajo honesto como su padre, una historia simpatica, divertida y a la vez con un mensaje. Una pelicula sobre la mafia que cualquier cinefilo no deberia de perdersela.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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10

SangorinoVMay 18, 2009

Unbelievable, one of the best movies I have ever seen.

1 of 2 users found this helpful

9

harvdog03Oct 30, 2018

A Superb movie that I think everyone should see. It's a good coming of age story set against the mob and racial tension.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

kublay0880Dec 10, 2012

It's always great to see these actors in action, the story is the same you see in most Italian-American movies, how a good boy/man gets involved with the mob. Nothing fresh, there are no spectacular performances here. But it's a good weekendIt's always great to see these actors in action, the story is the same you see in most Italian-American movies, how a good boy/man gets involved with the mob. Nothing fresh, there are no spectacular performances here. But it's a good weekend movie. Average… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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9

Iggyshow4351Nov 24, 2017

Thumbs up . GreatThumbs up . Great movie.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

OwenMansellJun 23, 2018

This film depicts the life of Calogero ('C') and his relationship between gangster boss Sonny and his father as he grows up and becomes a man. The message this story presents is too do what makes you happy and to not waste your life andThis film depicts the life of Calogero ('C') and his relationship between gangster boss Sonny and his father as he grows up and becomes a man. The message this story presents is too do what makes you happy and to not waste your life and through away your talents. Definitely worth a watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

gracjanskiJan 24, 2021

Although it is a gangster movie there are not many action scenes, because the conflict is about the education of a young boy. So this movie is more psychological. Robert de Niro and Chazz Palminteri were great. Also the soundtrack is top.