An Extraordinary Cinematic Experience

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2003)

I don't see what problem some people have with this film. Sure, it is very bloody and pretty intense, but once you get used to the graphic violence then it reveals itself as a film of intense power and deep insight, not only into the lives of it's characters but about American history. The tagline is "America was born in the streets" and that is true. How the successful government that we now enjoy was created from the chaotic mess that was Civil War-era New York is beyond me. You don't hear about this chapter of American History much in school and I'm glad that I finally learned something about it. This movie is an extraordinary cinematic experience with great performances, especially by Daniel Day-Lewis, with amazing cinematography, and brilliant direction. Everyone should see this movie.