Movie Review

Gangs of New York

What is Gangs of New York all about?

Martin Scorsese's newest film is a three hour revenge plot that is also a movie about how the Irish overcame adversity, which is also about a bland, poorly drawn out romance, which is also about a battle between the classes, and which is also taking place during the Civil War where the American natives are rich, heartless, long mustached evil doers who are against foreigners of any kind.

This is a lot to take in, but the problem with this movie is not trying to keep it all clear but actually finding a soul in any of these plots and subplots. The revenge plot is really the only thing that takes front and center here, but as the movie drags on and on, DiCaprio's lead character can't build on the momentum of that plot point well enough to to keep it compelling. The film just left me wishing that the hero or the bad guy would just kill each other and get it over with. The rest of these subplots are merely brought up, but aren't given time to progress. We realize where this movie is going to end up exactly after the opening battle, but all that remains in between is a long slog of dialogue that eventually takes the audience right out of the story.

The plot begins with the death of Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson), an Irish rebel leader who leads the Irish gangs against the American Natives, led by Butcher Bill (Daneil Day Lewis) for control of New York's Five Points. Vallon's son, Amsterdam, witnesses the murder and vows revenge on the man who killed his father.

We then pick up sixteen years later where Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio) is back in New York to get his revenge. The rival gangs have thrown NY into a state of chaos, and now Butcher Bill is in control of the Five Points and has the politicians eating right out of his hand. Amsterdam realizes that the best way to kill Bill is to actually join him, something that he accomplishes through a former friend named Johnny (Henry Thomas). Only the plan works too well and he finds himself becoming overly involved in Bill's powerful world, almost being treated by the Butcher like a son. Amsterdam also becomes involved with a pick-pocket named Jenny (Cameron Diaz), who has a history of her own with Bill. Gangs of New York is also about the poor being unfairly drafted into the Civil War, something that ultimately led to draft riots in the streets.

One thing Martin Scorsese appears to get right is the history. The time period between 1846 and the 1860's is well researched, from the facts to the set and costume designs. Scorsese's interest in capturing New York's entourage of good and bad is again very evident. Only, unlike Scorsese's other films the story is not given the time to progress and lacks serious emotional factors.

One of those factors is that the exquisite ensemble cast is just being average. The other reason is that they're not really given much chance to shine in the first place. DiCaprio shows anger and toughness, but has no vulnerability. He appears to understand his character's loss, but is never really given much chance to express it. Daniel Day-Lewis is cruel and heartless in his performance, but it's his lack of humanity and the long mustache and top hat that make him appear more like those cardboard cartoon villains of old. He seems more silly than real. And Cameron Diaz, much like the rest of this film, appears to serve no purpose at all.

At the end of Gangs of New York, some facts are learned but the point of the story is never understood. This is just a long, dull film that never shocks or engages in any of its many characters nor subplots. It only mentions them without progressing the story further by going into why they are important, or for that matter, why we should care. Gangs of New York is a film always stuck in first gear, and for a three hour film, that is death.

Craig's Grade: C

A	10.9%
B	41.8%
C	31.8%
D	15.3%
F	0.3%