Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel star in this crime drama directed and co-written by Martin Scorsese. Charlie Cappa (Keitel) is a man conflicted and searching for redemption, torn between his Catholic faith and the work he does for his mafioso uncle. He feels responsible for his reckless and self-destructive friend Johnny Boy (De Niro), a gambler in debt to some dangerous people, and does his best to help him.
However, Johnny Boy is heading for a showdown with loan shark Michael (Richard Romanus) that could cost them all dearly. The cast also includes Amy Robinson, Cesare Danova and David Proval.