Disappointing historical drama

Rating: Null/10 (3 July 2004)

My immediate feelings before seeing this film were recollections of the first half of Jerry McGuire ( an enjoyable romp ). I was not entirely happy with Di Caprio in the role of the son seeking revenge. He didn't come across to me as being slightly Irish with his Italian features. The other problem I had was how Bill the butcher allowed ex-Dead Rabbit members to join his clan. He is meant to be a blood thirsty killer ruthless in his pursuit of stopping Irish immigrants from entering New York. I did not see the logic in him keeping Irish members within his own clan or in doing very little against the further immigrants entering the city. Allowing Di Caprio to slowly build up a following also didn't make much sense.
The costumes were interesting although very theatrical. As for the truth behind the storyline, I doubt whether there was much in it regarding gang warfare in the city in those times. More likely it was between the black community and the whites. The love side of the story was all a bit pointless.
At the end the film appeared more like a common western hero v bad guy story rather than a film trying to say anything about a historical event.