Directed by Abel Ferrara • 1987 • United States Starring James Russo, Richard Panebianco, Sari Chang

Auteur of sin and sleaze Abel Ferrara brings his inimitable brand of pulp poetry to this gritty, synth- and neon-drenched take on ROMEO AND JULIET (by way of WEST SIDE STORY), which transplants the timeless tale to the mean streets of lower Manhattan where the budding romance between teenagers lovers Tony (Richard Panebianco) and Tye (Sari Chang)—he’s from Little Italy, she’s from neighboring Chinatown—threatens to unleash tensions between their older brothers’ rival gangs. Ferrara’s eye for stylized action lends this alternately tough and tender exploitation melodrama a propulsive pop punch.