Gangs of New York (2002)

Gangs of New York*** 

Directed By: Martin Scorsese Written By: Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian and Kenneth Lonergan Music By: Howard Shore

Amsterdam Vallon: Leonardo DiCaprio William Cutting, a.k.a 'Bill The Butcher': Daniel Day-Lewis Jenny Everdeane: Cameron Diaz William 'Boss' Tweed: Jim Broadbent Happy Jack: John C. Reilly Johnny Sirocco: Henry Thomas 'Priest' Vallon: Liam Neeson Walter 'Monk' McGinn: Brendan Gleeson

Running Time: 2:46 Rated R (for intense strong violence, sexuality/nudity and language.)

Reviewed By: Michael J. Gold

Gangs of New York is told against the backdrop of the impending Draft Riots of 1863, when the Navy bombarded the city and the Army was called in to quell the violence. Once the riots started, they did not end for four days and at the cost of nearly destroying the city. During this time, competing police and fire departments fought each other over jurisdiction.

In the opening of the film, a large battle takes place between to rival gangs: The Dead Rabbits lead by "Priest" Vallon (Liam Neeson) and The Nativists lead by William Cutter a.k.a. Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis). The Dead Rabbits are Irish immigrants, trying to stake out a small piece of land that they can call their own and earn a living. The Nativists are American born and filled with the hate of a people being pushed out and diluted by foreigners. The Nativists do not believe in the Melting Pot theory of America, regardless of the fact that their ancestors were also once immigrants.

During the battle, Cutter mortally wounds Vallon and Vallon's young son watches as his father dies. Cutter, instead of killing the boy, shows mercy and declares that he is to be turned over to the law.

Years later, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), returns to the neighborhood in New York where his father was slain. He has a plan and is intent on extracting his vengeance and killing William Cutter. Every year on the anniversary of the death of his father, the Nativists celebrate their victory. Amsterdam has decided that he will kill Cutter at that celebration.

His plans get sidetracked, however, when Cutter takes him under his wing. He is quickly becoming a valuable and successful member of Cutter's gang. Amsterdam also begins to fall for Jenny Everdeane (Cameron Diaz), a beautiful pickpocket with the daring to go uptown and slip into a wealthy household dressed as a maid to rob the owner.

Martin Scorsese has long been considered a master of his craft and in Gangs of New York he has delivered an epic film. The film is filled with astounding shots such as a long tracking shot showing immigrants coming off a boat, past draft registers then following a group of newly uniformed soldiers onto another boat as that same boat unloads the coffins of soldiers returning from the war.

The combination of history and this individual story at times seems awkward and almost forced as though the story knew where it wanted to go, but wasn't quite sure how to get there. There are reports that the original cut of the film was over three hours long and may have helped to smooth out picture. Perhaps in the future or on a DVD release we'll get a director's cut with the additional scenes put back into the film.

All of the actors in this film have done an exceptional job, however, it is Daniel Day-Lewis that stands head and shoulders above the rest. His portrayal of William "Bill the Butcher" Cutter is nothing short of brilliant. He is a cold and ruthless killer and yet still a philosophical and charismatic man. He is driven by his hate and need to retain control of all around him, and yet accepts the Irish immigrants in as part of his gang. He is by far, the most complex character in the film thanks to Lewis' ability to make the man both despised and charming at the time.

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X-RT-RatingText: 3/4