Lost itself

Rating: 6/10 (8 August 2003)

This movie has some hallmarks of a Scorsese picture, but it lost itself somewhere during the filming. Normally, Scorcese has a knack for keeping focus on a main theme (i.e., Casino = greed is bad; Raging Bull > out-of-control temper can get you in trouble). However, after the first hour, Gangs of New York lost any theme and causes the viewer to just watch the movie and to not think, which is very unlike a Scorsese picture. In addition, I would like to know when and where Leonardo DiCaprio became a movie star worthy of being in a Scorsese picture. Perhaps it was Titanic, but his performance therein was not what made Titanic a decent film. The guy is simply awful. In every movie that I have seen in which he performed, he was outperformed by all his co-actors. His acting is completely unbelievable, and his "Irish" accent came and went (very sloppy). He looks like he is still 14, despite his attempt to grow facial hair. Unfortunately I have to blame Scorsese for this foul-up. DiCaprio ruined otherwise decent performances by Lewis and Diaz. Rating: 6/10 for Lewis's and Diaz's performances, and the wonderful lighting and costumes. Rating without DiCaprio: 8/10. My average rating for Scorsese pictures: 9.5/10.