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britprincess1ajax
Feb 02, 2017britprincess1ajax rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I wasn't sure what to expect from Robert De Niro's directorial debut. Well, it was terrific. Entertaining without cheesiness and provocative without pretension, it's one of those sixties-era coming-of-age tales that we all hold near and dear to our hearts. The story is of C, a New York Italian, raised by his father, a bus driver. They live adjacent to a mob hangout, where one day, sitting on his stoop, C at eleven years old witnesses a hit. From thereon, everything changes, with the conflicting advice of his two father figures who perpetually butt heads: his actual father (Robert De Niro) and Sonny, the crime boss (Chazz Palminteri). C has to navigate the moral gray areas of the divisive community that is the Bronx. A BRONX TALE is more like STAND BY ME than GOODFELLAS, and thus more family-friendly minus a few cusses and racial slurs. As a casual watch, I really enjoyed the film, and, as a side note, the soundtrack excels, too. The music sets the tone of the environment in which C lives and only aids in captivating you. The film leaves the audience with a few loose ends (for example, what happens with Jane Williams?), but I think that's intentional, up to the audience to decide which way the wind will blow. Overall, a well made film from a notable actor/director. I'd recommend it.