In the bustling neighborhood of Little Italy in New York during the 1970s, a young man named Charlie struggles to find his way between the life of the mafia and his desire for redemption. Raised in an environment where values and loyalty are often measured in terms of violence and danger, Charlie feels trapped between his ambition to rise in the criminal world and his conscience. His reality is further complicated by his friendship with Johnny Boy, a charismatic but reckless sociopath who has no qualms about dragging him into problems that threaten to consume him.
As Charlie tries to protect Johnny from the repercussions of his irresponsible actions, he faces pressure from the mafia bosses who do not tolerate incompetence. Throughout the story, the characters reflect the tension between love and betrayal, leading Charlie to question his loyalties and his quest for a better life. The vibrant cinematography and pulsating soundtrack of the era immerse the viewer in the harsh reality of crime and friendship in a New York that never sleeps.
With its raw and intimate approach to urban life and the internal struggle of its protagonist, the film becomes a striking portrayal of masculinity, guilt, and the complexities of human relationships, cementing its director's status as a master of independent cinema.