Susan Granger’s review of “Gangs of New York” (Miramax Films)
Director Martin Scorsese pushes the envelope of realistic bloody violence in this unrelenting historical drama that probes the desperation and degradation that existed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where the poor were stuffed into decrepit tenements. Crime and prostitution were rampant, along with crooked cops and corrupt politicians. Based on Herbert Asbury’s history of mid-19th century-rivalry between Anglo-American (Protestant) and Irish immigrant (Catholic) gangs, the multi-layered tale of murder, duplicity and betrayal revolves around Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), who plots revenge against Bill “The Butcher” Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis) who knifed his father, ‘Priest’ Vallon (Liam Neeson). “He was the only man I killed that is worth remembering,” Cutting recalls. For spice, feisty pickpocket Jenny Everdeane (Cameron Diaz) has a volatile relationship with both men. The 2 hour 45-minute epic culminates with the 1863 Civil War Draft Riots, when the urban poor rebelled against conscription, coinciding with a final showdown between Vallon and Cutting. Scorsese’s intense, graphic depictions of hand-to-hand combat, dynamically photographed by Michael Ballhaus and expertly edited by Thelma Schoonmaker, make “Braveheart” and “Gladiator” pale in comparison. “Earns and noses are trophies of the day”: words that made cringe in revulsion. Yet Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an Oscar-worthy performance, along with persuasive Cameron Diaz – plus Scorsese and his creative team. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Gangs of New York” is a massive, feverish, compelling 10. Martin Scorsese’s fierce talent and expansive vision make this one of the year’s 10 BEST, but be warned: this is a difficult, profoundly disturbing film to watch.
