Great concept, look, some great performances, script needs work

Rating: 7/10 (14 January 2003)

Amsterdam Vallion watches his father die in a gang battle in New York by the hands of Bill The Butcher. After being sent to reform and now grown up, he sets out for vengeance in 1846 New York.
So aside from the location, history time period, just what makes this film so unique considering its nothing more than a boilermaker of a script we've heard a thousand times before???
It's unfortunate there wasn't some other story to tell, cause this is really the only thing wrong with the film. Daniel Day Lewis's performance is masterful, and the others are good as well, and most of the minor characters (John C Reily and Gary Lewis) are exceptional. Great direction, great cinematography, but can't make for the lack of script and something to engage the viewer than the simple plot story line.
Still worth seeing.
Rating 7 out of 10