All About America's Identity

Rating: 8/10 (31 December 2002)

This is Martin Scorsese greatest work. Not since the Deer Hunter, has a film held as much visual power. An uncontrollable force of stunning imagery thrown at the audience. Even the ending credits of the film is filled with a punch, taken from a Cassavetes style of New York film making. Gangs of New York can be simplified as "real" poetry. A story of identity with some much more. At times, the fantasy of this "world" makes the audience forget that the setting is historic New York City. Similar to Taxi Driver, Gangs of New York hold common a simple truth, the search for identity. Irish, America, Native, White, Black, Free, Slave, Soldier, Poor, Rich, Political, Right & Wrong, Gangs of New York is a movie marvel that will stand the test of time for future generations to enjoy