This is the story of Italian-American men who grew up in times of the New York mafia of the 1980's. The three boys are inseparable and now have to make decisions which will determine the direction of their lives, and some of them attempt to leave their past behind once and for all, but they might not be able to escape. Michael lives in Brooklyn but wants to leave the neighborhood. He fakes his way into Columbia University as a pre-law student and gets in. Meanwhile, Carmine - who protects Michael from the mobsters - loves the street lifestyle and doesn't want to go anywhere. He is very involved in the mafia lifestyle but chooses to stay in the business. Another friend of theirs is Bobby who wants a simple job at the post office to enable him to provide for his fiance and have a family. Bobby's parents were in charge of a mob when he was a kid, hence his unchosen involvement. He is preparing his wedding.
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At university, Michael falls in love with Ellen, a society girl from Connecticut. One day, the dangerous Ceasar who has control over a Brooklyn's mob sets his eyes on the three young adults, particularly Carmine. Ceasar is in the mafia and is a sadistic mobster who gives the three men the option of pursuing a life of crime. Michael refuses as he wants to stay in school, Bobby refuses as well as he aspires to this simple lifestyle, and Carmine wants in. One night, Michael sees Carmine and Ceasar engaged in a mob war and decide to torture a man from a rival family. Ceasar, thinking Michael won't cause trouble, lets him live. The three men quickly realize they are bound to the neighborhood by what they have seen and that there is no escape.
Ellen and Michael get closer and become a couple. At the same time, bloody wars are taken place in New York and fights are breaking into restaurants, one in which the three boys were involved in and which Ellen witnessed. All those deaths start shaking up the three men and they try to protect one another. Michael goes home as often as possible from Columbia to be with his friends. One night, Michael and Bobby leaves a car and make a stop at a church. A member of a rival mob shows up and shoots Bobby, who dies before having a chance to get married. After the funeral, Michael and Carmine talk and have beers, reminiscing about their friend, and decide to seek revenge. A friend of theirs kidnap their friend's killer, put him in the trunk of a car and bring him to Michael and Carmine. They go to a remote area and Michael is ready to kill Bobby's killer. Carmine shoots him first and tell Michael to get out of Brooklyn with his girlfriend and start his life. Michael then moves to California with Ellen and Carmine and Michael grew apart - until he receives a call that Carmine is getting married. The last scene of the movie takes place at the church where Carmine and his bride are exchanging vows.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked this movie as it is raw and realistic; the mob wars do exist. It is also a beautiful story of friendship and loyalty.
Best scene in story:
When Carmine kills Bobby's killer first so that Michael can start a new life, untarnished. This was a selfless act that he performed, in the name of friendship.
Opinion about the main character:
Even though he aspires to a different lifestyle, he never turns his back on his friends.
