Not the worst movie I have seen, but it is over-rated

Rating: 6/10 (4 September 2006)

I am the first to admit that I had doubts about this movie before I saw it. Hollywood never does well with a story "based" on historical fact. After seeing it, my fears were not allayed, even though the film is shot well and the acting was above average.
My main problem is the story itself. New York during the civil war was bad enough without having to embellish the story. Contrary to the theme of this movie, most of the rioting was caused by immigrants who resented the loss of jobs to freed slaves or feared would cause their wages to fall. Most of the violence was against blacks, including the burning of an orphanage and the killing and lynching of any unfortunate black caught on the streets.
This is definitely liberal Hollywood's view of history. It may be interesting, but it definitely isn't factual. Also, all the slobbering about how great Daniel Day Lewis is in this character is over-rated. His is the kind of brutal, troubled character that doesn't appeal to me.
See this movie if you want. Remember it is fiction of the worst kind.