Gangs of New York

Release Date: 2002 Length: 166 min

“And no matter what they did to build this city back up again—for the rest of time—it would be like nobody ever knew we were ever here.” -Amsterdam

Director: Martin Scorsese (Known for Taxi Driver, The Departed, and GoodFellas) Writers: Jay Cocks (Known for The Age of Innocence, Silence, and De-Lovely) Kenneth Lonergan (Known for Margaret, Manchester by the Sea, and Analyze This) Steven Zaillin (Known for Schindler’s List, Mission Impossible, and Hannibal) Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio (Known for The Departed, The Revenant, and Titanic) Daniel Day-Lewis (Known for Lincoln, The Crucible, and The Age of Innocence) Cameron Diaz (Known for The Holiday, Charlie’s Angels, Being John Malkovich)

Summary: After the death of his father, Irish gang leader Amsterdam Vallon returns to New York City to get revenge against his father’s killer, William Cutting, who is another gang leader. In order to do this, he must become an insider of Cutting’s gang and wait for the right time to strike. As time goes by, it becomes increasingly difficult for Amsterdam to keep his cover as he witnesses the horrors done by Cutting and the people that he used to know.

Overall Thoughts: Although the setting of the movie is in the 1800s, the film shows many conflicts and problems that are still happening today. For example, they show how the gangs fight for territories of New York City which has been seen several times in the past. The hatred that the Americans in the film have towards the immigrants is interesting to see; it addressed the very conflict that we find ourselves in now, 17 years after the movie was released. The film shows how history repeats itself. It also displays the brutality that people inflict on others. I also like how there are historically-correct background stories hidden in the plot. For example, the corrupt political parties, such as Tweed from Tammany Hall, do things to help the community which disguises their greed and need to be re-elected. The only critique that I would have for this film is that I felt that Cameron Diaz's character is somewhat pointless and very clearly only there as a romantic interest for Leonardo DiCaprio's character. I feel that by the end of the movie I didn't learn much about her, but I also don't care to know anything. Leonardo DiCaprio is as perfect as always! The character Amsterdam is so conflicted and yet very determined, which makes the audience question what the right thing to do is. The way that DiCaprio can show such contrasting emotions in the same scene really proves how talented he is. To me, however, the performance that stands out is that of Daniel Day-Lewis. He plays the character so convincingly that you can't help but both love him and hate him as Amsterdam does. The character is very hypocritical because even though he hates the Irish and degrades them, he loves and respects DiCaprio's Irish character. The chemistry between the two characters is performed incredibly well. Martin Scorsese is a renowned director who has made so many movies that can both relate to the past and the present. Scorsese has never been afraid to step out of the norm of movies and create a unique masterpiece. His choice for the credits song is very appropriate, not only because it is performed and written by one of the most famous Irish bands, U2, but also because the meaning pertains to the topics of the movie, such as hate, patriotism, and racism.

Ratings: Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 73% My Rating: 85%