Scorsese's Oscar to come....

Rating: Null/10 (1 January 2003)

At last it is finally here. This is the film that will win Martin Scorsese his long awaited Oscar for best director. There are so many reasons why the film should and probably will win the best picture Oscar as well. It is a sweeping epic of forgotten proportions as Americans and those around the world will be educated in how America, the real America, was built. Daniel Day-Lewis cannot be praised enough for this film. His volatile performance as a gang leader who controls politics and law enforcement in 19th century New York is frightening and tragic at the same time. He never shows any sign of weakness in both his character or his performance. He was robbed of a second Oscar for 1993's 'In the Name of the Father' and I hope he will get his reward here. It is truly the best performance by an actor in a leading role in 2002...no question about it. Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz are good but not great (Leo is better in 'Catch Me If You Can') and the cast is rounded off with quality turns by Jim Broadbent and John C. Reilly. Attention to period detail is second to none and the editing is put forward in a way that makes three hours just fly by. The photography and camera movement is fitting to the moment at hand and the violence is graphic but is contained in its most gut wrenching as the film draws to a climax and is part of the story so it belongs there. This is a solid and smashing classic film.