Inaccurate but entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (25 January 2003)

Scorsese again delivers a first class movie filled with excellent performances and stunning sets which by far offset weaknesses with the plot and indeed the historical accuracy of the piece. The real "Bill the Butcher" was killed in 1855 - years before his on screen demise during the brutal Draft Riots of 1863. Nonetheless, Daniel Day Lewis is stunning in a role which could have easily become comical in the hands of a less capable actor. Leonardo Di Caprio is adequate in his role as the vengeful hero Amsterdam, but he is still too much of an acting lightweight to share the screen with the likes of Day Lewis & the marvellous Jim Broadbent. The Cameron Diaz role seems to be a clear case of box office appeal casting. She adds nothing to the plot but happily for the viewer does not really damage the movie either. Maybe her inclusion was to offset the maleness of this film - the only other notable women, such as the vicious female fighter in the opening battle make only a minimal contribution to the plot. I felt the movie was a little too violent, especially the carnage of the opening battle, where numerous slashings and skull crushings are depicted in gory detail. The film itself is fantastic to look at, though the soundtrack is very disappointing (apart from Othar Turner's mesmeric fife & drum music) considering how well Scorsese usually uses contemporary music of the era to underscore the visuals. Though it does not match his earlier classics such as 'Taxi Driver' or 'Goodfellas', 'Gangs of New York' is still a highly watchable and interesting production from a great director.