I'll tell you why so serious

Excellent, smart action film.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

The Jewish version of New Jack City with more realism and authenticity. this is a contemporary movie of my time using music, style, and themes familiar to me. I loved the scenario and character development. The difference between it and other "contemporary" movies of my youth is that it was written intelligently without a preachy morality or over-reaching Deus ex Machina gimmick play in the plot. (He was the guy who shot my Mom! or, Jack Napier 'Joe Chill' is actually the Joker) As silly as I remember the "fake ass gangsters" of 80's looking with jogging suits and gold chains it is a reminder that a man with a gun and bad intent is still damn dangerous. This movie has depth, development, humor, sorrow, pathos, plausibility, unanswered questions and tragedy just like real life. Don't miss it.

This movie is a must see for young wannabe gangsters. It has a measure of authenticity that is absent from other films in the genre. The story takes you from the childhood through the young adulthood of three "friends", one of which is overambitious and jealous of his former cohert that just returned from prison (After doing a stint for the very guy that turns out to be his nemesis). This movie captures the essence of being young in an underground environment and having aspirations of criminal life. If you grew up in New York or Chicago, this movie is a must see and you will definitely relate. It also is a shining example of where "the life" can get you. That is to say.....absolutely nowhere!

For those who have a passion for mafia films like I do, this is just horrible when compared to a good movie like Goodfellas, or EVEN Scarface. This movie is about life long friends all reunited forced to work for the old guy whos club was robbed by the dimwit friends. This movie has too much talk and not enough action, and the main narrorater acts too tough. PLAIN HORRIBLE. 3 out of 10

Even though many critics have labeled "Amongst Friends" as just a 90's version of "Mean Streets", this is not necessarily a criticism. The acting is solid (see Mira Sorvino in an early role) and the drama level is kept high throughout the film. Basically it's a tale of Jewish Long Island kids growing up to be gangsters, and I recommend it.