It is a good film about the Bronx, about Little Italy in New York, race relations in the 60s and many other things, indeed. Yet the film seems to be a country revisited several times. The new element is the point of view that is adopted here, that of a kid who is growing from 8 to 17 and is the witness of the law of the neighborhood and how this law is imposed by some group of self appointed people who impose security and guarantee it then. In this case it is an Italian boss, and on the other side it is the Blacks, and no detail is given. What makes this film interesting is how the son sees the world and how he comes to accepting this or that idea, from his father or the local neighborhood boss. We see his personality growing, his independence blooming, at times without knowing it, his reason and moderation expanding at times against his own feelings and convictions. You add girls to that and then accidents on the road of social peace and you may have some real drama in which you discover the real value of this man, or even your father, who did not hate this or that or anyone in particular but rather tried, at times awkwardly to protect you. There are a few funny elements here and there, more dramatic elements now and then, but a lot of pathos all the time. Entertaining with good actors who are very well directed.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

I've seen this movie numerous times, and definitely think it's worth commenting on. It was originally released in 1993 (directed by Robert De Niro - his directorial debut), and having seen it on VHS quite a few years back, I felt that I had to have a copy on DVD. The story centres around a young boy growing up in the Bronx, who falls under the influence of Sonny (Chazz Palminteri), the neighbourhood wiseguy, and details the fight by his father (played by Robert De Niro) to prevent his son from falling in to a life of crime. As the story unfolds, Calogero (the boy in question) is subjected to a full range of emotional and physical experiences, ranging from witnessing a murder to falling in love for the first time. As an account of a young boy growing up in the Bronx, in testing circumstances, this film hits the mark with memorable scenes, dialogue and strong acting from a solid cast.

Believe it or not, I grew up in this very same neighborhood. The Belmont section of the Bronx. Boy I remember, the neighborhood was actually owned by these streetwise guys. They made you feel protected. I lived in a 5 story apartment building in 663 Crescent Ave. which is adjacent to 187 street, the Little Italy of The Bronx. Fordham University is just a couple of blocks down. I didn't go to that college but a friend of mine went. Now I live in Milan, Italy. (Quite strange, isn't it?) But every now and then, I go back to visit that same neighborhood. I am not pointing any fingers at anybody, but a lot of these guys were racists. They wouldn't even let a black person live in the block. Just like the movie portrayed. Fortunately this bigotry never rubbed off onto me. But some of the kids I grew up with did. I wish the movie had a happier ending. When the guys threw cocktail bombs in the black neighborhood and then got killed in revenge as they tried to leave made me cry. Talk about wasted talent. Sad but true. But isn't that what it's all about, art imitating life?

sandy

There are several films in my collection that i never fancy watching, and bizzarly enough Bronx Tale is one of them. I love both the lead actors which is why i bought it but for some reason i never choose it until someone else does! This is the same for Shawshank Redemption, Breakdown and Pelican Brief, all fantastic bits of cinema but always bottom of my list.

Make no mistake Bronx Tale is a fabulous achievement which boasts world beating performances from all the cast and is best described by a quote on the case "Goodfellas with Heart" and this is absolutely the case, there are the trademark characters, bad language and violence, but unlike most before this contains elements of racism and one of the gang being in love with a black girl. As a film it is made all the more interesting with this alternate take on the genre.

10/10

Great acting with a great script and solid characters.
It only lets itself down a bit in the last five minutes by delivering a broadside of family-friendly moralistic mush. But then perhaps I'm nitpicking. It really is outstanding.
Update:
Without prejudicing my commendation of this film, one aspect of it made me uncomfortable; the sanitisation of a couple of scenes of strong violence by not having any trace of blood when by rights there should be plenty. I am torn over this practice.
I feel on one hand that 'cleaning up' violence simply makes something more acceptable that should be unacceptable. On the other, showing the full consequences of violence (and images of blood do have a particularly strong effect) might only desensitise us to the real thing.