Movies Like This Have Only One Goal; Profit

Rating: Null/10 (12 January 2004)

For anyone who has not read the book of the same title written in the 1920s I believe, permit me to disclose the following: Very little in this movie has any basis in fact. Some of the people, most notably Bill the Butcher, did exist Boss Tweed of course, but none of these events as portrayed in the film actually happened. So with that in mind, can you accept or even enjoy this movie? Depends on you I suppose. My knowledge and love of history compels me to give it very low marks. The performances are sound, most notably Lewis, and Scorsese works his patented visual magic, but the film I gotta say overall is a total bomb. Long movies are good only when long movies are entertaining. To me this was more of the same industrial opium with good set and costume. The film's message of immigrant paranoia however is a valid redeeming one, and should be heeded. But I wonder how many people will find themselves able to glean any sort of theme whatsoever once this bloodbath finally draws to a close. The history of New York is fascinating, no ciy's is moreso. One can only hope that this film inspired a few well meaning people to pick up a book and learn how it really was. Truth as always trumps fiction. Especially cheap crappy fiction.