Overly sensational with one great lead

Rating: 7/10 (30 August 2003)

Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" takes too much time introducing the audience to the environs of New York City's "Five Points" in 1862-63. The story is supposed to be that Amsterdam Vallon is out to avenge the death of his father at the hands of Bill the Butcher. But that's not the story exactly. Before Amsterdam can get much of an idea about where he's going and how he'll get revenge, he allows William Cutting to take him in as a surrogate son, and come to the point of almost loving him. It is not until halfway through the movie, when Amsterdam saves The Butcher's life that he realizes how far he's stooped.
Daniel Day-Lewis, as everyone agrees I am sure, gives a fantastic performance as a racist gang leader who pretty much owns all of the Five Points and everyone in them. Leonardo DiCaprio is woefully miscast as Amsterdam Vallon, and it's rather surprising. For an actor as admired at his age for the veritable talent he's shown on-screen, Leonardo cannot pull off a convincing Irish accent. Cameron Diaz as Jenny is similarly handicapped, but her character is given enough redeeming qualities to at least make one want to care for her. The supporting cast is perfect, however, Jim Broadbent as the corrupt William Tweed is almost unrecognizable and seems to act almost like comic relief for all the beaurocratic bull he throws in The Butcher's face. John C. Reilly, star of three of the five Best Picture nominees, also does well as an Irish cop with a big black hole where his heart should be. Brendan Gleason gives his typical strong performance. Henry Thomas, a native of Texas, is a welcome relief when his wholly convincing accent is compared to DiCaprio's half-hearted attempt. And, of course, Liam Neeson, as the fallen "Priest" Vallon makes his usial strong performance.
To warrant any feeling for Amsterdam the movie should have not wandered so far from his story of vengeance before returning to his mission. If there were any characters in the movie worth caring for, whether they died or not, the movie would be more enjoyable. I admired that the whole movie was shot on a set in Rome, but if the movie didn't LOOK like a set, then maybe it would've been easier to swallow. The Butcher, Monk McGinn, Priest, Jenny, and Johnny were all developed enough to care. You never wanted Bill to win the fight, but at least you could understand him. Not so with Amsterdam. The climactic Draft Riots of 1863 were well-staged. A chapter in our history worth taking not of. So too was Boss Tweed, the man who ran Tammany Hall until he was convicted by the Thomas Dewy of the 1800s, Samuel Tilden. But while Scorsese wanted to make a movie chronicling the underworld of New York and the Irish immigrants, his unflinching examination of the Five Points gangs, and nothing but, leave a nasty taste in your mouth.