Great Film!

Rating: 10/10 (12 January 2003)

I just saw GONY, the long awaited movie when Leo (finally) shows the talent he has! We haven't seen it for a while: not since Romeo and Juliet and possibly parts of Titanic, but its definately back here! Can't wait for Catch me if you can.
Having said that it is Daniel Day Lewis who steals the show here. Bill the Butcher was a great character. Really scary.
The opening battle seqeunce is really quite gory, but it could have been worse! The only thing that grates here is the modern sound-track that accompanies it. I feels as out of place as the Leo voice over which is at times Irish, but mostly some kind of strange New York dialect.
The rest of the movie is great though! Almost Shakespearian. Amsterdam is, as Bill keeps reminding us, just a kid! That is why (spoilers ahead) there cannot be any great showdown between them, because Bill would have to kill Amsterdam. But he won't, as in the really horrible 'scar' and hatchet scene! Amsterdam, unlike his father, is not a worthy victim of the great Bill 'the Butcher' Cutting. (end spoilers.)
Easily the best film of the year. Lots of Oscar success ahead. Just don't go in there expecting a huge ending. Its not going to happen. It can't happen, if you watch the rest of the movie!