Gangs of New York

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2016)

Visually stunning, if not oddly cast, Marin Scorsese directed Gangs of New York in 2002. Weaving the tale of the development of an area of New York known as the Five Points, all the while following a man seeks revenge for the murder of his father. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, Gangs of New York tells the darker tale of the origins of the country during the Civil War. Perhaps one of Scorsese's most visually striking vivid films, Gangs of New York was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 2002, cementing Scorsese's iconic reputation as a director.
Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), as a child, witnesses his father, 'Priest' Vallon's (Liam Neeson) death in a gruesome battle with a rival gang member, Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). After avoiding a life of living under Bill's supervision, Amsterdam makes it his life's mission to exact revenge on the man who killed his father. In 1863, Amsterdam returns to The Five Points which is being run by The Butcher and his gang, many members of which used to belong to The Priest's gang. Life in The Five Points is hellish for anyone who isn't a member of The Butcher's gang. They run the state like it's their own, are blatantly anti-immigration, womanizing, and exceptionally violent. The forced conscription brought about by the Civil War brought with it the most turbulent of times for the fledgling state of New York, and the entire country itself. Riots break out in the street protesting the corruption in government and the violence used to rule the citizens. The violence acts as a perfect backdrop, keeping The Butcher just distracted enough for Amsterdam to exact revenge for the murder of his father.
The filming of the opening battle scene was a stroke of brilliance by director Martin Scorsese, complete with his signature God's eye view overhead shots. Leonardo DiCaprio, despite being a stock actor of Scorsese's, seemed ill-fit for the role of a son seeking revenge. He lacked the deep-seeded revenge angle needed for the role in place of the overly facial pretty boy he is so constantly lauded for playing. Cameron Diaz is completely miscast in the role, of the love interest, never coming off as fitting in the period. Daniel Day-Lewis gives a wonderful performance, as always, brilliantly capturing the violent, yet philosophizing gang leader. Scorsese delivered his most visually stunning film to date with his 2002 feature, Gangs of New York.