Brilliantly made film which may reflect the mind set of the modern American.

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2003)

Martin Scorsese' lastest offering 'Gangs of New York' is in the main a highly successful piece of film making. The editing inspired by Eistenstein (The Battleship Potemkin)the sound recording, the set design, the cinematography are all excellent in places. The performance of Daniel Day-lewis is mesmorising. However the narrative through which these aesthetic devises are used (The 5 Points) is such a minor part of American history it is without regret that i suggest that this tale originates in Hollywood (coincidently about New York)rather than in New York. I believe this 'Invention or Exaggeration of American History' acts in allowing American audiences to identify with themselves, a process which has been made all the more difficult in the wake of recent tragic events and political upheaval. I'm not suggesting that this film is of propagandistic nature but the extent to which the film promote 'Americanness' is obvious. 1) The scene is which Bill Cuttings sits at the side of Amsterdam's bed draped in the American flag. Cuttings proceeds to inform Amsterdam of the violent struggles in this life and the way in which he has survived, "Fear". Bill Cuttings admits to only surviving theses violent times because of his "Fear". The emotional state of most of the western world feel today.