Bronx Tale, A

As a young boy growing up in the Bronx, Chazz Palminteri witnessed a murder while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building where he lived with his family. His father quickly took him away so he wouldn't get involved. But, of course, the incident made an indelible impression.

As an adult stage actor, Palminteri decided to mix that story — and others — with the many strange, eccentric personalities he grew up watching in the '50s and '60s, eventually writing and performing the material as a one-man show. Robert De Niro, who also grew up in New York in an Italian family, saw the show and decided to make a film version that would mark his directing debut. Palminteri went to work on a script and out of their alliance, "A Bronx Tale" was born.

In the film, young Calogero at age 9 (Francis Capra) witnesses a murder while sitting on his stoop and is spirited away by his father Lorenzo (De Niro), a local bus driver. Lorenzo tells his son to keep quiet about the incident, despite police interrogation.

But what happens next is something Lorenzo doesn't anticipate. The murderer, a local mob boss called Sonny (played by Palm-interi), feels he owes a debt to the boy and takes him under his wing, treating him like his own son.

Naturally, Lorenzo doesn't approve. So, he does what he can to keep Calogero away from Sonny's influence. But the pull is too strong and as Calogero grows older, the film settles into telling his story mostly from the age of 17 (now played by Lillo Brancato), as he is taking more advice from Sonny than his own father.

Other complications ensue, as he joyrides with his buddies — friends who are headed toward a bad end. And especially when Calogero is smitten by a black girl (Taral Hicks) in his school, who returns his affection. The Italians and blacks in this area do not exactly get along, and there is enormous pressure on both sides.

Palminteri's screenplay is filled with nice little truths with which the audience will easily identify, and De Niro's direction is remarkably assured, stylish and evocative. And best of all, De Niro has hired a bevy of supporting players who are real and eccentric in ways that are both comic and chilling.

The result is a stirring triumph for both De Niro and Palminteri, a tough triumph and a truthful one.

"A Bronx Tale" is rated R for violence, a steady stream of profanity and a few vulgar remarks.