Review: A Bronx Tale

De Niro's debut as director is a competent coming of age story about acceptance, wasted potential and power. There's the odd, slightly showy, directorial flourish here and there but he rightly puts the focus on the Capra and Brancato - variously playing the main character, Calogero Anello, at nine and seventeen respectively. Both are strong portrayals - and Brancato has more than a touch of De Niro about his look.

Also of note are Hicks (breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking performance) and Palminteri (manages to hit exactly the right notes as a unexpectedly thoughtful gangster).

Verdict: Mob story with heart.