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This film tells the story of the Little Italy of Scorsese's youth. The principal character, Charlie, is in many ways similar to the director, embodying all of the problems that oppressed Scorsese at the time. The relationship between the violence of the Mafia and the guilt of Catholicism, along with themes of sex and friendship, forms the substance of the movie. Charlie postpones resolution of all these conflicts, and as a result, the reckless friend that Charlie purports to look out for is shot. Though Charlie's friend is not fatally wounded, the experience leaves Charlie with a startling vision of what he has wrought. Combined with the documentary, Italianamerican (1974), no greater portrayal of the true Italian-American experience (as opposed to the glamorized Godfather trilogy) exists.
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