Il était une fois le Bronx

A Bronx Tale tells the story of a boy growing up in the Bronx that must face tough decisions between a mobster and his father the working man. Robert De Niro, in his directorial debut, shows an inside view of the mafia in the neighborhood and how an individual child idolize them just like the way the film GoodFellas showed how a kid wanted to be a gangster.

Chazz Palminteri plays Sonny, the kingpin in the neighborhood, who is not only a feared man in the Bronx but also kills a man in the streets and Lorenzo's (Robert De Niro) son, Colgero, is the witness. Lorenzo's son doesn't rat on anybody and Sonny considers the kid an okay person where he'll take care of him like a father would for his son if he does certain favors that would make Lorenzo uncomfortable.

Colgero sees different point of views from his two "fathers" where Lorenzo, his real father, is an honest bus driver who likes what he does in making a living prior to standing by in his codes of morality while Colgero sees Sonny as something of a hero since he's not a sucker like those who have to wait for bum paychecks where all he does is make a living by either killing or stealing where having power makes a man.

As Colgero grows into a teenager in the 60's, both his real father (Lorenzo) and his idol (Sonny) want the best for him with different standards and don't want to see him in the wrong direction. At the same time Colgero falls in love with a woman, a young black girl, at his high school where interracial relationships is consider a no-no to both the black community and the Italian neighborhood. It doesn't bother Colgero one bit while asking both his father and idol for advice where he's growing up to be a man.

"A Bronx Tale" is not only a life lesson movie, but a coming of age story where not only does Colgero witness everything in front of him from death to prejudice but it's about how two men from separate worlds want the best for this kid.

A father(Robert De Niro) who stresses the importance of honest work, teaches his son values in 1960's New York as a distrusting mobster(Chazz Palminteri) also shares his perspective and becomes some what of a father figure to the kid. Faced with racism and a crime-based community, learns his own morals from a strand of tough events.

This is not the first movie I have ever seen to make the gangster out to be a some what nice guy. But this is the first one I have seen to actually make him somewhat of a saint. Sonny(Palminteri) is the example of a split personality with a criminal. He is very tough with a community that he loves and basically runs but is also very protective and guiding to many people. I found this to be quite interesting in this type of genre.

Robert De Niro's character on the other hand, is very bold. He plays the father who is concerned with his son's well being and is just your normal flat character. He was unimpressive, but effective for a movie that was by no means perfect in the first place.

The idea of this movie was what made it so intriguing. At two hours long, it consists of a large epic story of a young man trying to make it through a part of New York. Some important events were perhaps too close together but it was still entertaining and quite moving. Overall, A Bronx Tale is a fine experience of cinema with a wonderful story.

I highly recommend this movie.

The amount of brillance that Robert DeNiro puts into all of his performances is unmatched and he proves that he can also be a fine director by debuting in that field as well as starring in this 1993 Savoy release. DeNiro is top billed but you actually don't see very much of him. The film's major focus is that of a little boy named Calogero and his idol, a mobster named Sonny (Chazz Palminteri). Sonny owns the Bronx neighborhood where Calogero and his honest bus driver father Lorenzo (DeNiro) live. He also basically owns them. Sonny's heavy amount of power and wealth make him an intimidating force throughout the neighborhood but his mob gang make their fear of him look like complete respect. Sonny knows that he's feared and it just encourages him to keep trying to rise in power. Calogero grows up watching Sonny cavorting on the street with his gang and secretly imitating him much to Lorenzo's chagrin. Lorenzo wants the best life possible for Calogero and doesn't want to see him fall into a life of crime or looking up to crime figures. Calogero doesn't listen because he idolizes Sonny too much and his chance to get Sonny's attention comes when he witnesses Sonny fatally shoot a man. When Calogero is questioned by police, his loyalty comes before his conscience and he doesn't rat out Sonny's guilt in the shooting. Sonny strongly appreciates this and so he gives Calogero an easy money job serving drinks for his high rollers gang. As several years pass and Calogero nears the end of his childhood, he must learn to make the ultimate choice between his two "father" figures. Just like in "Goodfellas", a classic soundtrack and excellent period detail is evident here and this film stands out as yet another classic in the modern day organized crime film genre. Palminteri makes a strong film starring debut and DeNiro makes the very most of his rather small seeming part. Joe Pesci also appears briefly as another respected crime boss. An instant "new classic."

Like Marty this is a masterpiece, done on less than a stellar budget. The acting is miraculous. Chazz is a genius who can write for the theater, the film and play the starring role. He is the modern personification of charisma. De Niro plays one of his most engaging and lovable roles. This, my friends, is movie making. No blue screens, no CGI, nothing but a wonderful story, brought to life, as movies were meant to be. Oh yes, the ending is perfect. Being a fellow filmmaker, I can't help but be a little envious at De Niro's first directing job. Directing is hard work, acting is hard work, to act in your first directing effort is...incredible. Well, I shouldn't be surprised. Look at the kind of actor he is. Great film, don't miss it, but please don't wait for the special effects. This is one film that doesn't need them to captivate you. 10/10

A Bronx Tale (1993)

**** (out of 4)

Magnificent story about a young man (Lillo Brancato) growing up in the Bronx and being confused about life as most kids are. Growing up he had his hard working father (Robert DeNiro) preaching about keeping a clean life while he also got advice from a wise guy (Chazz Palminteri) from the neighborhood.

A BRONX TALE is without question one of the greatest films of the decade and I think it also contains one of the greatest screenplays ever written. I remember when the film was released it got a lot of very good reviews but several people claimed that it didn't stack up to the type of films that influenced it. Of course, with DeNiro directing it a lot of people compared it to the work of Scorsese and I think that's unfair because this wasn't meant to be a Scorsese film. There are obviously influences here but I think this film holds up very well on its own and its message of morals and consequences is something very few films has mastered like this one.

I will openly say that this is a film that I really love because the set-up is just so perfect. You've got a middle class father who has a set of morals that has him hating the gangster who has attached himself to his son. You've got a gangster with a different set of morals who believes that working people are stiffs. Both men have their own set of rules and they both love this young kid and want to see him succeed even if their advice often isn't something the other agrees with. The screenplay by Palminteri is perfect in so many ways as it really is a great coming-of-age story and it also has some terrific life lessons. I was thirteen when I first watched this movie and its message hit me then and it hits me even harder today now that I have my own kids.

The setting is really remarkable and I think DeNiro did a terrific job at capturing an era that he grew up in. Obviously he knew a lot about it and it translates perfectly to the screen. The music selections, something I'm going to guess was inspired by Scorsese, are also wonderfully done. The film has a very good flow to it and I thought the director did an excellent job at keeping the film moving. He certainly helps bring these characters off the page and we're given some very memorable and powerful scenes. One of the strongest is the first time the father confronts the gangster.

The performances are certainly terrific with Palminteri stealing the film as the wise gangster. I really thought the actor did a remarkable job with the part and especially the laid back approach. Brancato is also extremely good as the older kid and Francis Capra also deserves credit playing the younger kid. Then there's DeNiro who is usually playing the gangsters but here he's given the role of the father. It's pretty much a supporting part but the actor turns in another terrific performance and there's a lot of heart in the part.

A BRONX TALE works on so many levels and it's really too bad so many people has overlooked the film. Those who know the film love it and I think if more people would give it a shot even more would love it.