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Gangs of New York (2002)
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Reviews Counted:9
Fresh:7
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: Though flawed, the sprawling, messy Gangs of New York is redeemed by impressive production design and Day-Lewis's electrifying performance.
Runtime: 2 hrs 47 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Director Martin Scorsese revisits New York City's notorious past with this dazzling historical drama. A throwback to the epics of yesteryear, GANGS OF NEW YORK is set in the mid-1800s, when the... Director Martin Scorsese revisits New York City's notorious past with this dazzling historical drama. A throwback to the epics of yesteryear, GANGS OF NEW YORK is set in the mid-1800s, when the streets of lower Manhattan were teeming with tension and violence. Leonardo DiCaprio is Amsterdam Vallon, the son of a revered gang leader (Liam Neeson). As a youth, Amsterdam witnessed the death of his father at the hands of William "The Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), the maniacally driven ruler of the city's most powerful gang. Sixteen years later, Amsterdam is finally released from the orphanage that raised him. Determined to avenge his father's death, Amsterdam makes his way back to the volatile Five Points to track down Cutting and exact revenge. As he gradually infiltrates Bill the Butcher's camp and earns the crazed gangster's respect, he must also contend with the tumultuous, but beautiful, Jenny Everdean (Cameron Diaz). DiCaprio and Diaz are impressive in their respective roles, but it is Day-Lewis who steals the show. Resurfacing after a five-year retirement, the Irish actor delivers a performance that is at once cartoonish, electrifying, comical, sincere, and deeply moving. By paying tribute to the early days of New York City in such a grand, spectacular manner, Scorsese also pays tribute to cinema itself. [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Liam Carney, William Kiernan, Cara Seymour, David Hemmings
Director: Martin Scorsese
Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian, Jay Cocks, Kenneth Lonergan
Story: Jay Cocks
Producer: Alberto Grimaldi, Martin Scorsese, Harvey Weinstein
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: Miramax Films
Reviews for Gangs of New York
A work of staggering ambition, grandeur and terrible beauty. In a word: majestic.
All of this is a triumph for Scorsese, and yet I do not think this film is in the first rank of his masterpieces. It is very good but not great.
This is historical filmmaking without the balm of right-thinking ideology, either liberal or conservative. Mr. Scorsese's bravery and integrity in advancing this vision can hardly be underestimated.
The streets, shot by cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, may be as authentic as they are mean, but it is nearly impossible to care about what happens on them.
A richly impressive and densely realized work that bracingly opens the eye and mind to untaught aspects of American history.
Whether or not a longer version would have given the film more texture and dimension, this one presents a blinkered vision of American history.
Latest News for Gangs of New York
October 23, 2007:
Scorsese, DiCaprio Reuniting for Shutter Island
Their first three collaborations netted copious amounts of Oscar love and box-office receipts, so it isn't surprising that Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are in no hurry... More...
June 21, 2007:
New "Indy 4" Cast Member: Jim Broadbent
You might not remember the name, but you'll definitely know the face. More...
March 26, 2007:
Scorsese and DiCaprio, Together Again for the Fourth Time
It's a hectic time for both Leonardo DiCaprio and his own personal svengali, Martin Scorsese; though both are currently super busy, movie-making bees, they'll make time... More...
February 26, 2007:
How Does "The Departed" Rank Among Oscar's Best?
So Martin Scorsese finally has his long-overdue, much-deserved Oscar. But where does "The Departed" stack up in the annals of Academy history? More...
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