A Bronx Tale

| 1993

Directed by: Robert De Niro

Main Plot

"A Bronx Tale," directed by Robert De Niro, is a coming-of-age drama set in the 1960s in the Bronx, New York. The story follows a young Italian-American boy who becomes enamored with the local mob boss. Torn between the allure of organized crime and the values instilled by his hardworking father, he navigates the complexities of loyalty, love, and morality. As he grows older, he faces pivotal choices that will shape his future, influenced by both the criminal underworld and his father's guidance. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the struggle between right and wrong in a turbulent environment.

Characters

  • Robert De Niro plays Lorenzo, a hardworking bus driver who tries to steer his son away from the influence of local mobsters.
  • Chazz Palminteri plays Sonny, a charismatic mob boss who mentors young Calogero, guiding him through the complexities of life and loyalty in their Bronx neighborhood.
  • Lillo Brancato plays Calogero, a young boy torn between his father's values and the allure of a charismatic mobster's lifestyle.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "A Bronx Tale," directed by Robert De Niro, the protagonist, Calogero "C" Anello, witnesses a tragic culmination of the tensions that have been building throughout the film. Sonny, the local mob boss who has been a mentor to Calogero, is assassinated at his bar by the son of a man Sonny killed earlier in the story. This event profoundly impacts Calogero, who had come to see Sonny as a father figure despite his own father's disapproval. Calogero's biological father, Lorenzo, played by De Niro, attends Sonny's funeral with him, signifying a moment of reconciliation and understanding between father and son. Lorenzo acknowledges that while he disapproved of Sonny's lifestyle, he is grateful that Sonny protected Calogero from a life of crime. The film ends with Calogero reflecting on the lessons he has learned from both his father and Sonny. He realizes the importance of making his own choices and the value of love and loyalty. This conclusion underscores the central theme of the film: the struggle between following one's own path and the influences of the environment and people around you.

Robert De Niro Crime Drama Robert De Niro Chazz Palminteri Lillo Brancato