So realistic!

Rating: 9/10 (23 December 2002)

Greetings again from the darkness. Director Martin Scorcese has crafted a masterpiece epic that puts you smack in the middle of the gang wars that were a part of the foundation of our country. The shame is many will not see this movie because some critics are panning it as too long or too hard to follow or because it has Leonardo DiCaprio or Cameron Diaz in key roles. First of all, this movie should be seen by any film lover if only to see Daniel Day-Lewis("The Unbearable Lightness of Being" "My Left Foot") in his finest performance. He is frighteningly menacing as William Cutting, aka Bill The Butcher. He has captured the spirit of this dreadful man, from his cocky walk to his handling of cuttlery. His sneers and voice will send chills up your spine. This is the best performance I have seen in a long time. As a selfish film lover, I do wish this wonderfully talented man would work more often! Leonardo, now cast as a 20 something man, is forced to carry much of the film, and he does an admirable job. He does have screen presence, and I believe his acting ability is coming around. Cameron Diaz adds chirpiness and spice to the otherwise drab life of the gang members. Other nice performances include Jim Broadbent ("Moulin Rouge") as Boss Tweed, Henry Thomas ("ET"), John C. Riley (all PT Anderson films) and Brandon Gleeson, who steals his scenes as Monk. Liam Neeson also has a short, but crucial role. Quick notes: look for Scorcese in a quick cameo, and he also cast Brandon DeSica (grandson of the great director Vittorio DeSica) as another tribute to Italian filmmaking. Incredible sets and superb editing and soundtrack make this an incredible piece of filmmaking not to be missed.