It took me a disgustingly long time to get around to watching the film that sparked one of cinema’s greatest actor/director partnerships. Robert De Niro’s unique performance in an unexpected role is arguably his best under Scorsese. From its lucid narrative, overt colour palette and jump cuts, Mean Streets has the raw feel of a director yet to find his feet and establish his personal style – and for this reason it doesn’t quite match the grandeur of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or Goodfellas – but it is one hell of a film.