not really

Rating: 7/10 (19 September 2004)

The first two minutes was impressive. Then something happened and the movie lost its whole presuasive power over me. I saw a wee woman with sharp, pointy teeth and artificial claws joining the rest of the men to take part in the street battle. Now, realize that this is a fight with no precision weapons, where brute strength, height, arm reach and endurance count way more than agility. And Mr Scorcese was showing me this little woman jumping over massive men and killing them with her claws and bites. Wow ! So cool! Well, granted, I am aware of the "Hell Cat Maggie" legend. But I didn't think the film was based on legends. At least, a taller and muscular actress could have been used to play this character. Is it really necessary to include this character and mess with the whole realism of the movie?
Just when I was getting over this stupidity I saw a black gang member with Johnny (the good gang member that helped Amsterdam when they were children). Just how realistic is it that an African boy is allowed into a white gang in one of the most racist chapters of New York history? How come people like William Cutting and McGroin tolerate this guy's activities in the neighbourhood? How realistic is it that this African boy (not even a man yet) pushes white men to vote for a candidate in the heat of the Civil War when African Americans were seen as the reason for the war?
These might seem like minor points for many. But, I think they make that little difference between a good movie and a great movie. IMHO, this movie was good. But it was mostly due to Lewis' spectacular acting. DiCaprio was OK, but one expects a more convincing performance from a lead actor. I guess it was his mishap acting against Daniel Day Lewis. Contary to what many think, I think Diaz was a good choice for the playful, humorous, and sexy vixen female character; Jenny Everdean. There wasn't much to act in her character anyway. This movie is NOT underrated.