Rent Gangs of New York (2002)

An epic thriller set in 19th-century New York - Gangs of New York review by Philip in Paradiso

This is a film about the criminal underworld in New York city, between about 1845 and 1875. A gang of 'natives' (i.e. Protestant Americans of English origin, from what we are given to understand), led by a sadistic criminal called The Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis, utterly scary and realistically portrayed), is fighting it out with the Irish immigrants, who are despised because they are new arrivals in the city and Catholic. This happens against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the issue of slavery. A good deal of it is based on historical facts.

The acting is good and Cameron Diaz is surprisingly convincing as the female lead in the story, who is a talented thief herself. The film sets look a little bit cardboard-like at times, I must say (it was filmed in Cinecitta, in Italy, I believe). And there is a lot of extreme violence, mostly involving knives and meat cleavers, so, it is not a film for the faint-hearted.

Having said all this, there is an epic and symbolic dimension to the movie that does make it relevant and captivating, also because the lead characters are unusually complex for a story of this kind. I certainly recommend the movie, which you will not forget.

Scorsese Masterpiece? - Gangs of New York review by LE

There was probably a quite muted critical reception to this film when it came out in 2002. It felt like an epic but, like many epics, it felt impersonal and lacked an emotional entry point for viewers. Having seen it many times since then, it is one of those films that improves with every viewing. You begin to realise the structure and appreciate the thematic and narrative throughlines. It's Scorsese trying something different, and he brings his formidable mastery of cinematic technique to an, at first, pretty impenetrable story. There is one magical shot that follows starving Irish immigrants off the boat at the New York port, and tracks them as they sign up to fight in the ongoing Civil War and so board a waiting ship that will take them to that death-ridden conflict, while the coffins of the poor souls that preceded them are brought back past them. It's a striking visual way of detailing the madness of war, and how death confronted the underclass at every turn in this godforsaken time and place. The bluray has some interesting documentaries about the real Gangs of New York, the making of the film, plus a very good commentary by Scorsese himself. I'm never totally convinced by DiCaprio as an actor but god bless him for being the vehicle that allows Scorsese to make the incredible films he wants to make. Diaz is great as Jenny but Day-Lewis steals the show as Bill the Butcher. A typical Scorsese ani-hero, but Day-Lewis provides an almost dreamlike baroque quality to the character. I'd have loved to have seen De Niro's version if the film had, as planned, been made in the 1970s. I can't imagine him being any better though- which is quite the compliment. The production design and costumes are extraordinary - probably the last time that sets would be built at this scale for a film. It's now CGI all the way. Perhaps this is our last glimpse of the Golden Age of Hollywood. If you are able to, try to see this multiple times. It really does reward that sort of emotional investment.

A stratospheric & incredible Day-Lewis cannot overcome the script problems, but still a great film - Gangs of New York review by TB

Daniel Day-Lewis is one of my two favourite actors. He is quite simply one of the greatest actors of all time. He is a chameleon, a total spark of genius. There is a reason why he is the only actor to hold 3 Best Actor Oscars. And whilst this film has some significant script & other issues, this for me is his greatest performance, despite My Left Foot being his best film. It was in many senses a miracle he was even in it. After semi-retiring from acting after The Boxer, Day-Lewis went off grid. It was only Scorsese's persistence & the character of Bill that made him come back.

I find it hard to describe just how phenomenal & electric Bill is. Even though I have seen this film multiple times, his performance has not lost one iota of the violence, fear & electricity I felt the first time I saw it. Bill is a coiled spring of anger & hate, ready to explode at any point. But it is just as moving when he is calm, such as the conversation whilst draped in the American flag.

But this towering performance also has an unintended consequence: he makes almost everyone else look like a cardboard cutout in comparison. And this is where the film has its problems. The main one is that the other two leads (DiCaprio & Diaz,) are totally miscast. Despite the excellent work that he has done with Marty since, here DiCaprio is totally out of his depth. The accent is terrible, he never convinces & I suspect that in many ways he has been cast due to his star power/to get the film funded. Diaz doesn't really fare any better, although I felt she was the stronger of the two. She did fairly well convey the trauma of her early life & how in a sick way Bill had saved her, despite her going from one sort of oppression to another.

There are some notable great performances, the main one being Jim Broadbent as the corrupt mayor. He gets some great lines & his face-offs with Bill are great. Stephen Graham & Gary Lewis also have memorable scenes as well.

But the other issue with this film is it's length & script. This film had an extremely tortured road to production, with multiple rewrites & arguments behind the scenes. The film was a longtime passion project for Scorsese & it is easy to see why he wanted to make it, especially it's setting in Little Italy & rival gangs fighting for control of the streets.

So why, despite all this criticism, do I give it 4 stars? Well, the main reason I have described above & let me make it clear, without Day-Lewis, this film would totally fail. I cannot even imagine De Niro, who was originally cast, being able to do as good a job. But also, this film is in every way an epic. And this feel is what carries the film through, despite it's issues. You are swept up in it, showing how the modern New York was created.

So absolutely a film to watch and love. But I bet you all the money in the world that once it finishes, the only thing on your mind will be Day-Lewis and this, his greatest ever performance.