A Bronx Tale Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid can’t decide if he wants to be a bus driver or a gangster, so he hangs out with both until stuff blows up.

🍿 A Bronx Tale: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Sonny’s Influence

In the 1960s Bronx, young Calogero, nicknamed ‘C,’ is drawn to the local mob boss, Sonny, much to the dismay of his honest, hardworking bus driver father, Lorenzo. After witnessing Sonny commit a murder and refusing to identify him to the police, C earns Sonny’s respect and is taken under his wing. This sets up a conflict between the values of his father and the allure of the gangster lifestyle.

Growing Up in the Bronx

As C grows older, he navigates the pressures of his neighborhood, balancing his father’s moral lessons with the lessons he learns from Sonny. He witnesses the racial tensions of the time, particularly between the Italian and Black communities in the Bronx. C’s friends become involved in petty crimes and racial violence, further complicating his relationship with his father and Sonny.

Interracial Romance and Conflict

C falls in love with Jane, a Black girl from his school, which creates tension with his racist friends and the expectations of his community. Sonny encourages C to pursue the relationship, offering surprisingly progressive advice. This interracial romance becomes a central conflict, highlighting the challenges of overcoming prejudice during that era.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Calogero (Age 17) (Lillo Brancato): A teenager torn between his loyalties to his father and a charismatic mob boss, navigating love and racial tensions in the Bronx.
• Calogero (Age 9) (Francis Capra): A young boy growing up in the Bronx, fascinated by the local mob boss and witnessing events that shape his future.
• Lorenzo (Robert De Niro): A hardworking and honest bus driver, striving to keep his son away from the dangerous allure of the mafia lifestyle.
• Sonny (Chazz Palminteri): A powerful and respected mob boss who takes a young boy under his wing, offering guidance and a different perspective on life.
• Jane (Taral Hicks): Calogero’s African American love interest, whose relationship highlights the racial tensions and challenges of the era.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sonny: “Nobody cares.” – Sonny’s blunt advice to Calogero to not waste time worrying about people who don’t care about him, highlighting his pragmatic and cynical worldview.
• Lorenzo: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” – Lorenzo’s constant reminder to Calogero about the importance of using his potential, reflecting his values of hard work and self-improvement.
• Sonny: “It doesn’t take much strength to pull a trigger, but try getting up every morning day after day and working for a living. Let’s see him do that, then we’ll find out who the real tough guy is.” – Sonny explains his respect to Lorenzo by detailing the importance of working hard for your living.
• Sonny: “I’d rather be feared than loved.” – Sonny explains that if he is loved, he will be taken advantage of. But if he is feared, then they will not take the chance to do so.
• Sonny: “Now you’re gonna learn something about women. You never put her first. If you do that, you’re gonna get smothered. You gotta keep her guessing.” – Sonny’s unsolicited advice to Calogero about how to treat women, showcasing his outdated and manipulative views on relationships.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,287,898
• Worldwide Gross: $17,287,898

💥 A Bronx Tale Reviews

Personal Review

I loved this movie! I remember watching it as a kid and being blown away by the performances. Chazz Palminteri is amazing as Sonny – he’s charismatic but also genuinely caring. The scene where he gives Calogero advice about women is hilarious and surprisingly insightful. De Niro is also great as the hardworking dad, and the ending always gets me choked up. It’s a movie that stays with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with a moral compass”
  • “Those who appreciate Robert De Niro’s directorial work”
  • “People interested in films set in the 1960s”
  • “Fans of Chazz Palminteri”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Racial slurs and prejudice”
  • “Brief drug use”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A Bronx Tale is more than just a gangster film; it’s a coming-of-age story with depth and heart. De Niro directs with a keen eye, drawing out strong performances from the cast, especially Palminteri. It avoids glorifying the mob life, instead focusing on the moral choices facing a young man.
• Variety: “De Niro makes a remarkably self-assured directorial debut, eliciting fine performances from the entire cast. It’s a familiar story, yet the personal touches and strong sense of place make it a compelling watch. The soundtrack and period detail truly immerse you in the 60’s Bronx.

Audience Reactions

The performances are outstanding, especially Chazz Palminteri as Sonny.: Viewers praise the authentic depiction of the Bronx and the strong emotional impact of the story.

The soundtrack is amazing and perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 1960s.: Many viewers appreciate the film’s exploration of father-son relationships and the challenges of growing up.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted and emotionally resonant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the 1960s Bronx, praised for its authentic atmosphere and strong performances.

Awards

1. Young Artist Awards (Outstanding Youth Ensemble in Motion Picture)- 1994

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chazz Palminteri initially refused to sell the film rights unless he could write the screenplay and play Sonny. Robert De Niro agreed to a 50/50 partnership, allowing Palminteri’s conditions to be met.”
• “Robert De Niro learned to drive a bus for his role as Lorenzo, adding authenticity to his portrayal of a working-class father.”
• “The story is based on Chazz Palminteri’s autobiographical one-man play, reflecting his real-life experiences growing up in the Bronx.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Bronx Tale?

A Bronx Tale is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on major streaming subscription services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Bronx Tale, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): Shares a similar coming-of-age story within the mafia world, with a focus on the allure and consequences of that lifestyle.
• Boyz n the Hood (1991): Explores the challenges of growing up in a tough neighborhood and the influence of different father figures.
• Mean Streets (1973): A gritty portrayal of street-level crime and moral conflicts in a close-knit Italian-American community.
• Moonlight (2016): A coming-of-age story that tackles themes of identity, masculinity, and finding one’s place in a challenging environment.

🛒 A Bronx Tale Related Products

• A Bronx Tale [Blu-ray]: Own the beautifully restored version of this classic film on Blu-ray. Experience the stunning visuals and immersive sound quality, making it a must-have for any movie collector.
• A Bronx Tale: A One Man Show: Experience Chazz Palminteri’s original one-man show that inspired the movie. Watch this captivating performance and see the roots of the story come to life.
• A Bronx Tale Movie Poster: Showcase your love for the film with a high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office.
• The Sopranos: The Complete Series [DVD]: If you loved ‘A Bronx Tale’, check out ‘The Sopranos’. Starring many cast members from the movie, The Sopranos focuses on family relationships and the gangster lifestyle.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Bronx Tale features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Fool In Love” – performed by Ike & Tina Turner
• “Nights in White Satin” – performed by The Moody Blues
• “Come Together” – performed by The Beatles

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Bronx Tale | Mob Movie Review with Michael Franzese

He has the insider knowledge – and he’s not afraid to share it! Michael Franzese reviews ‘A Bronx Tale’ with a unique perspective.

Lessons From A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri, Robert De Niro |Michael Franzese

Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri join Michael Franzese for an insightful discussion on the timeless lessons of ‘A Bronx Tale’. This is a must-watch for fans of the movie!

Jim Ferguson Classic Interview with Robert De Niro for A Bronx Tale

Curious about what Robert De Niro had to say about ‘A Bronx Tale’? This classic interview reveals his thoughts and experiences on the movie.

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