Minor flaws, but still a great film

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2003)

Is "Gangs of New York" Scorsese's best film? Is "Richard the Third" Shakespeare's best play? Most Scorsese fans would rightly rank "Taxi Driver" and "GoodFellas" above "Gangs," just as Shakespeare scholars would tell you "Hamlet" and "King Lear" are more complex and better characterized than the still-great "Richard." Ultimately, such distinctions don't matter. "Gangs"' minor flaws don't distract from what's ultimately a great (if not perfect) film.
Scorsese begins with a simple story that owes its soul to, if not "Hamlet," at least "The Lion King." Some view the lack of plot complexity as a flaw, but I think the bare-bones story structure is just the right choice for this film. Because Scorsese doesn't have to juggle a lot of disparate, clunky plot threads, he can give this film what it needs: a colorful, fascinating palate of well-drawn characters and impressive visuals. I never believed I was seeing anything but the roiling, filthy, angry underbelly of a nation confronting its turbulent adolescence. The concise plot allows Scorsese to work his magic as the greatest visual artist in modern American cinema.
Leonardo DiCaprio's performance isn't exactly earth-shattering; we haven't seen what he's truly capable of since "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Many have complained about his off-Irish accent, but I don't think that's a big issue. Remember that Amsterdam Vallon spends most of his life in New York. Most children of immigrants, then as now, sport a "halfway" accent, not quite American but not quite that of the Old Country. Cameron Diaz manages to let us forget "Charlie's Angels" for a few hours. As much fun as it was to see her wiggle her ass at the camera, here she proves that she can indeed act. And what can I say about Daniel Day Lewis' performance that hasn't already been said? Like Denzel Washington in "Training Day," Lewis' Bill the Butcher is a very evil man who convincingly and seductively becomes a slick, personable charmer when need be. Lewis gives one of the great performances of the past few years.
All in all, "Gangs of New York"'s minor, unimportant flaws don't distract from what is ultimately a great film. Not every movie needs a complex, challenging storyline. It worked for "Pulp Fiction," but wouldn't have worked for "Gangs." Scorsese's key accomplishment is in realizing that, and using his inimitable visual skill to create a fascinating, engrossing film that seems far shorter than its three hours. It's not Scorsese's best, but like Shakespeare he has plenty of competition from his own work. 9/10