The Red, White and Bloody

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2003)

"Gangs of New York" was a fascinating movie. It recounts the brutal culture of street thugs and immigrants in 19th century New York. Leonardo DiCaprio's Amsterdam Vallon of the Dead Rabbits squares off against Daniel Day-Lewis' Bill the Butcher of the Native Americans. I thought it was interesting to see how street thugs back then used such brutal but sophisticated weaponry and fighting tactics. The movie isn't exactly historically accurate. I went in already knowing a little something about the gangs of old New York. I could recognize names and characteristics. Anyway, the movie was a huge vision of pain and beauty. Day-Lewis played his part well, even if his broad New York accent and cartoonish stovepipe hat made his performance seem absurd. Overall, "Gangs of New York" was great, a true product of Martin Scorsese.