A Bronx Tale (DVD)

Having watched Robert De Niro's directorial debut for the first time since its 1993 release, I have to be honest and say that my initial reactions are mixed. Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy The Bronx Tale for its ambition in tackling various themes of family, trust, anti-racism, and love. Though, at times, it did feel as if the movie was more impressive on the ideas front, rather than the actual execution. The story concerns working-class bus driver Lorenzo Anello (De Niro) and his son Calogero. "C", for short, soon witnesses a murder committed by local gangster Sonny (Chazz Palminteri), and is asked to identify the killer by the police. But, ...  Read the complete review

'A Bronx Tale' was adapted from an off-Broadway hit which was written by Chazz Palminteri in 1989 and is a nostalgic memoir, based on true events of his childhood. It features Robert Den Niro's directing debut and he also plays the father (Lorenzo) of the protagonist, Calogero, with much zeal. What makes this film immediately engaging, is the 'Doo wop' music, and the suave boys and the local girls who look like a clone of Amy Winehouse, with sky high hair and tight dresses, all adding to the reverent precision of the 1960's, tactfully incorporated by the marvellous De Niro. Unlike most gangster films, you won't see much explosive violence; but what you do see will shock ...  Read the complete review

WHAT IS IT ABOUT: Robert De Niro stars in this mob tale with a difference: he's not the mobster! In this one he plays Lorenzo Anello, a hard-working, law abiding father who does everything he can to stop his son falling in with Sonny LoSpecchio (Chazz Palminteri), the local mob boss. The lure of the mafia is too much for the boy, and Anello soon has to step in. WAS IT ANY GOOD: This is De Niro's first outing as a director, and it suffers from a naivety that seasoned directors wouldn't have. Indeed, it's an actors whimsy in many ways, as the doubtful Chazz Palminteri wrote the whole thing too. Between writer and director, the film suffers from a ...  Read the complete review

A Bronx Tale is one of my favourite films. I'm not sure why but it is a great story on how impressions can affect a small child and impact on the way he develops as a man. The film centres on a boy who gets named as "C" by Sonny, a "Made man", the location of the movie is set in the Bronx, an Italian neighbour hood. They don't like outsiders as you learn throughout the film. This isn't good for what happens later on.. C is a good guy, has respect for his father who is a lowly paid bus driver, and has an equal respect for the lifestyle Sonny and Co live. He believes the "working man is a chump" and knows he can make a ...  Read the complete review

A Bronx Tale is an underrated gangster film featuring a young boy and his unique relationship with a gangster after he keeps quiet after witnessing him brutally attack somebody he has become embroiled in an argument. The gangster, Sonny, respects his silence and takes a shine to him, giving him money and treating him like his own son. Robert De Niro stars as the boys strict father who doesnt approve of their relationship. De Niro is excellent in his role as a working mans bus driver who wants his son to follow an honest life. There isnt a huge amount of action in this film which is perhaps why it is often overlooked as one of the great gangster films, but it ...  Read the complete review