Major Disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (7 February 2004)

I don't think I can remember a movie where all the components are in place to create an epic motion picture, and they all fall apart like a jigsaw puzzle with incorrect pieces jumbled together into a mess.
Throughout every scene tension is created leading to more tension. Characters are defined well and the acting is superb throughout ... but because of the history of the period, I knew the outcome from the first frame and it really didn't matter to me who died at the end and who didn't. And that's the problem with the entire production, I really don't care about any of these characters. Plus, the historic and political issues, which are driving influences of the era, didn't develop the desired drama/intensity to close the hoped for effect the director had in mind.
Sure, the love interest is developed, but I don't care if they stay together or not. I admire history and maintaining contact with a city's or community's past; however, because New York is a city that never slows down enough to truly admire and honor its past and the citizens who inhabited those times, I wasn't taken in by the final frames detailing the growth of the city and loss of individual histories.
Overall, the production quality is remarkable and true to life. The acting, as I mentioned earlier, is outstanding. But unless viewers care about the characters on screen, there isn't much to capture their attention for a full three hours.
Overall, I give it a 5 out of 10.