Standard Scorcese...or simply extraordinary.

Rating: 9/10 (13 January 2003)

Martin Scorcese never does what you expect, much to the joy of his many adoring fans. Gangs of New York ranks among his most brilliant and admirable accomplishments. A beautiful, sweeping story of love, hate, and revenge, set against the sumptuous background of Civil War era New York City is stylish, fanciful, intriguing and satisfying.
The plot is wonderful, and dare I say terrificly acted. Not previously a fan of either DiCaprio or Diaz, I am now tempted to rethink my notions. If you are willing to ignore the pair's tendency to slip in and out of the accents--and this is easy to do with such rich and resonant dialogue--then you could easily say that these characters are nearly perfectly acted. One cannot help but adore DiCaprio's Amsterdam, and his onscreen chemistry with Diaz is so delightful, a moment or two will pass when you wish you were in her (or his) place. DiCaprio successfully wins back his respectability in one harrowing performance, and I expect the future will bring more Cameron Diaz in more period costumes. But the real show here is all Day-Lewis. Tremendously ferocious as The Butcher, his character is the stuff of nightmares, and his haunting, glass-eyed glare sends chills up your spine and raises the hair on your neck. So frightening is his portrayal, it is difficult to understand how even a beefier, angrier DiCaprio would dare take on such a terrifying monster. But take on The Butcher he does and the results are a story so sinister yet emotionally gripping that you know why it bears the name Scorcese.
Of course, it is thoroughly gruesome and bloody, so be prepared to close your eyes if you are at all squeamish, but anyone familiar with the director's work would expect this at the outset, and hey, Five Points in 1863 was a very rough place to live. Kudos to the sound editors who make every smashed bone sound chillingly (sometimes sickeningly) realistic. I recommend Gangs of New York to every movie lover, particularly those who have an affinity for Scorcese or for period dramas, or even war stories. Fear not the length (2:40), for every moment is justified and the time will pass in blissful absorption. This film is captivating, thoroughly enjoyable, and destined to become a classic of film lovers and critics alike.