Thoroughly Entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (22 August 2003)

Where to start I have not been a huge fan of Scorsese ever since The Last Temptation of Christ debacle. It's not that I don't think that M.S. is a good director, I just think he has had some problems with casting pictures outside his tried and true NY style. I mean Harvey Keitel as Judas and Willem Defoe as Christ? Sure Willem may look the part but geez, neither of them could rid themselves of their Brooklyn/NY accents long enough to ever be convincing. The picture told a great story but I just couldn't get over that accent hill.
Moving forward 15 years I thought that he may have done it again. I just didn't see Cameron Diaz fitting into a role that is set in the 1850/60's. Also, I'm not a big fan of L. DiCaprio's either. Sure he can act but I just have a hard time getting that sniveling little This Boy's Life' kid out of my mind sometimes; especially when he's supposed to be tough, I expect Robert De Niro to come waltzing in and slap him down. Anyway I think that GoNY has put some of these difficulties to rest for me. Here we have a fantastic, sweeping story about this country's, but especially New York City's, shaky beginnings and we have another classic New York story from M.S.  the thing he does the best. I didn't have problems with accents, I found the story completely engaging, the acting was top notch (of course Day-Lewis stole the show, as I'm sure everyone has mentioned) but DiCaprio really impressed me and may have dispelled the image I've had of him for so long. His character struggles with his sense of loyalty; to avenge his dead father or to the man who killed him but has taken him under his wing and shown him respect. DiCaprio really relays the emotion superbly. There are scenes in this movie that will stick with me for years, i.e.: when Jenny asks Amsterdam who he is, which makes Amsterdam ask the same of himself, which causes him to come to his resolve. Simply great storytelling.
The production on this picture was nothing less than epic. It really transports you back to this country's struggle to find it's self. I found myself questioning weather any of the story was based on fact. On the DVD there is a Discovery Channel feature that put those questions to rest: most of what's in the film has some basses in historical events. Most not so flattering, but all very fascinating. If you have any interest in discovering what kind of strife our forefathers and mothers had to endure to make this country and NYC what they are today with a generous helping of great acting, directing and story telling: rent Gangs of New York and then watch the DC feature. I don't see how anyone could be disappointed.