GANGS OF NEW YORK

Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas and Liam Neeson

Director:
Martin Scorsese

Running Time:
168 mins

Out to buy on DVD June 30th

1846 and the streets of New York's Lower East Side are paved with blood as rival gangs of American "Nationals", led by Bill "The Butcher" (Day-Lewis) and the incoming Irish immigrants, led by Priest Vallon (Neeson). As the battle rages, Priest falls at the hands of The Butcher and his young son Amsterdam (DiCaprio) witnesses his death. Sixteen years later, Amsterdam returns to The Five Points with only one thing on his mind, vengeance.

Martin Scorsese's dream project finally hits the big screen after many delays but has it been worth the wait?

The answer to this question is yes but it is not the masterpiece that everyone was expecting. Amazing performances, stunning cinematography and astounding attention to historical detail are all let down by a script that stumbles in the middle act and never really regains its footing until the climax.

The story is based around actual historical conflicts between National and Immigrant gangs in the Five Points area of New York, which came to ahead in 1862 at the time of the American Civil War draft riots. While some of the characters themselves are fictional, the events round them actually happened, shaping the way American is today.

Where the film really stands out is in its performances. Leonardo DiCaprio finally returns to the big screen and delivers on the promise he showed early in his career. As Amsterdam, he portrays a character driven by grief and vengeance extremely well. Cameron Diaz proves again that there is more to her that just dizzy blonde roles and the support from Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas and John Polson is first class. This is Daniel Day-Lewis's movie however. His portrayal of Bill The Butcher is extraordinary, grabbing your attention every time he is on screen. This is a man that is idealistic as well as evil, never thinking what he is doing is wrong and that his principles are just and for the good of American. The character could have so easily turned into an over-the-top, pantomime villain but in the hands of Day-Lewis he has given us a character that will be remember for a very long time.

So even with all these positives why is this not a cinematic masterpiece? After a stunning, bloody and violent start, the middle act of the movie just seems like it is just filling time before the climatic fight, which you know is on the way. Also despite the film being 168 minutes long, you know it should be longer (there are rumours of a four hour cut of the film) as it is very disjointed in parts, especially in the middle act. This aside Gangs of New York is still a very good movie that will probably become even better if a director's cut is released.

Audio commentary from director Martin Scorsese, 'Set Design' featurette, 'Exploring The Sets': a multi-angle feature, 'Costume Design' featurette, 'History Of New York's Five Points' featurette, 'Five Points' study guide, 'Uncovering The Real Gangs Of New York' Discovery Channel programm,e U2 'The Hands That Built America' music video, Theatrical trailer, Interactive menu & Scene access


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2003