"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it on the streets..." New York's "Little Italy" in the 60s: Small-time crook Charlie is asked to take over the restaurant of his rich uncle, who has close ties to the Mafia. For Charlie, this step would mean a sure entry into organized crime. But Charlie is a devout Catholic: how can he reconcile being a gangster with his faith? Charlie firmly believes that everyone will pay for their sins someday - not in church, but on the streets. Charlie loves Teresa, a young woman who suffers from epileptic seizures. For her sake, he also takes care of her frivolous cousin, Johnny Boy. In the meantime, Charlie and Johnny Boy have become friends, but Johnny's recklessness always causes problems: He borrows money everywhere to gamble it away without a care or to spend it on women. He rarely thinks about paying it back. When Johnny's Mafia creditors give him an ultimatum, Charlie also gets into the line of fire...