My Thoughts on the Film, Gangs of New York…

My Thoughts on the Film, Gangs of New York…

I thought I had watched this film when it first came out back in 2002, but after seeing it this time, I realize that I remember nothing about the movie whatsoever.

So perhaps this is the first time I’ve seen it.

Set in the middle of the 19th Century, Gangs of New York illustrates the turmoil and tribalism that plagued the Five Corners and most of New York City at that time. From this turmoil emerges a young man, Amsterdam Vallon—portrayed like a FAX collecting dust in your inbox by Leonardo DiCaprio—bent on avenging the death of his father, “Priest” Vallon—played with similar woodenness by Liam Neeson.

“Priest” was killed by Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis) in a spectacularly staged gang fight in the Five Corners in 1846. Think of the tactical, ordered battles between armies before WWI, add some berserker leanings from the early skirmishes from the time of William Wallace, and you’ll get the full picture of the opening scenes of this film.

The noteworthy performances in this movie are Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill the Butcher and Cameron Diaz as the spunky love interest Jenny Everdeane. The other actors in this star-studded ensemble appeared to have read through their lines with minimal effort, unfortunately, as if the director was more interested in other aspects of this epic, historical film.

Said director—no slouch at all—is Martin Scorsese. He has made masterpieces—The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, Shutter Island (all starring DiCaprio)—but this is not one of them. Within Gangs Of New York are Scorsese’s tried and true tropes: parallel narration, revenge-driven heroes, fast pacing, and the guilt/redemption theme, to name a few. Don’t get me wrong, this film is worth rewatching, but considering such an auteur’s body of work, I would expect a far more arresting film. It’s a great film, but greatness is commonplace for Scorsese.

Perhaps he faxed in his performance here as well.

I recommend this film to fans of Scorsese (who have probably already viewed it), lovers of historical dramas, and those who get that visceral satisfaction from violent films.