A lovely, enlightening, and profound picture!

Rating: 10/10 (12 July 2003)

How could anyone deny "Gangs of New York" of its beauty and grandeur? How could anyone deny the historical benefits of the film's experience? But most of all, how could anyone claim that "Gangs of New York" is a failure? In my mind, considering the stakes, it is Scorsese's greatest success! Historically, the film takes a small number of liberties, but calling it inaccurate would be like saying Picasso's faces weren't life-like enough. Who cares? We are presented with an impression of a world rarely known about. An impression of a dark, cruel, and forgotten time which is brought to life by the most amazing set, make-up and costume designs ever concieved and constructed, and filmed with crafty and gorgeous camera work. Everything else is perfect, what about the acting? Leonardo DiCaprio, regardless of what people say, is a great actor. It is a fact. His vocal and facial emotions are brought to new heights in this one, and it is amazing to watch. Cameron Diaz is also good, with her pristine subtleties in the beginnings, and emotional breakdowns later on. But Daniel Day-Lewis takes the taco as the gross, colorful, and overwhelming Bill the Butcher. He literally becomes the character, and the results are shockingly brilliant. "Gangs of New York" will be the pinnacle of New York history movies, if not New York movies in general. It spotlights gang life, racism, the Civil War draft riots, and the horrid conditions of New York's Five Points. Don't believe the negative opinions of this one, and trust your common sense and inner judgement. There's no denying "Gangs of New York". 10/10