All you need to learn in life you can learn from watching
"A Bronx Tale."
Okay, maybe that is a bit of a stretch.
I know this is a music blog, but on a couple of occasions
(HERE and HERE), I have participated in blogfests listing my favorite movies.
One movie that always makes the cut is 1993’s A Bronx
Tale, starring Robert DeNiro in his directorial debut and featuring/written by
Chazz Palminteri.
This excellent film opens with the sounds of romance in
the Bronx (“Marie! Get in the f#&king car!”). There are a few violent
scenes, but mostly the story is about a boy who is drawn to the local gangster
against the wishes of his bus-driver father.
I also love the film because of all the important life
lessons contained within. You may think I say this in jest, but all you need to
know in life, you can learn from watching this film.
And I am going to prove it. To do so, I will have to stray from the main theme of this blog (music), and I hope you will indulge me.
Today begins a series of posts describing the
valuable lessons contained in the film.
“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the
choices that you make will shape your life forever.”
Lesson 1: The importance of family
Calogero (“C”),
Lorenzo’s son in the movie, doesn't listen to his father and you can't
hold that against him; we all have to make mistakes.
The movie is about
C being torn between his father and Sonny.
Deep down, C knows that what his father tells him is in
his best interests.
It is hard for C to ignore what Sonny offers-especially when
his friends in the neighborhood are Sonny-wannabees.
Sonny wears the flashy clothes, gets the good seats at the fight, has everyone looking up to him. Lorenzo drives a bus. For a young kid hanging out on the stoop, those are polarized role models.
Sonny wears the flashy clothes, gets the good seats at the fight, has everyone looking up to him. Lorenzo drives a bus. For a young kid hanging out on the stoop, those are polarized role models.
Through everything C has to go through in the film, Lorenzo was always there to support him.
And the values that Lorenzo taught him kept him
from being killed before he was old enough to shave.
You only get one family.
You only get one father.
Never forget how important they are.
You only get one father.
Never forget how important they are.
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Yeah, great movie, and one YOU turned me on to.
ReplyDeleteI don't think 'A BRONX TALE' is ready to replace THE HOLY BIBLE in the 'All You Need To Learn In Life' department, but...
It IS an excellent movie in many respects - one I have seen a couple times (thanks to YOU) and one I wouldn't mind owning on DVD someday.
And I know there was some MUSIC in the movie, so I suppose you could T-R-I-P-L-E X S-T-R-E-T-C-H it to fit this blog's theme.
Happy May Day... er, I mean, "Fourth Of July". (What's the difference anymore, eh?)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Stephen-
DeleteMaybe not replace, but certainly a companion piece. OK, that's a stretch, too.
But as I finish this series (I have ten in mind), I think most will agree that the "lessons" really do apply to everyday life.
Happy 4th to you as well...going to see Mr. Rundgren tomorrow (Fri) at the Crescent Ballroom and Sat (in Tucson).
I do know that I've seen this movie, but it was a while ago and I can't really remember it. Clearly I need to re-watch it, though!
ReplyDeleteGreat first lesson from the film.
Larry, thanks for your interest in the CD :) I hope you like it!
Trisha-I liked the preview and look forward to the CD.
DeleteABT is my favorite film, so I recommend a repeat screening.
Larry