Mean Streets (1973) is an early Martin Scorsese film starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro.

Plot:

Charlie (Keitel) is an Italian-American man who is trying to move up in the local mob and who is hampered by his feeling of responsibility towards his childish yet destructive friend Johnny Boy (De Niro). Charlie works for his uncle (who is the local mob boss), mostly collecting debts. He is also having a hidden affair with Johnny Boy's cousin, Teresa, who has epilepsy and is ostracized because of her condition - especially by Charlie's uncle. A major figure in the plot is the conflict between Charlie's devout Catholicism and his Mafia ambitions. As the film progresses, Johnny becomes increasingly self-destructive and disrespects his creditors more and more. Unable to feel redeemed by his actions in church, Charlie finds redemption through self-sacrifice on Johnny's behalf, long after it ceases to be reasonable or deserved.