Gangs of New York

Review by Clint Morris

30 years after he expressed interest in doing it, director Martin Scorsese’s tumultuous tale of 1800’s gangster life in embryonic New York arrives on the big screen.

It’s template may only be as fresh as the ink used to print the Variety ad Scorsese took out at the time to confirm his dedication to the project.

A project he wouldn’t get started on until some 25 years later – its inner-core courageous, its underbelly awe-inspiring and structure, infinitely meticulous.

“It’s a funny thing being taken under the wing of a dragon”, reflects the film’s unlikely hero, Amsterdam Vallon, who’s recently taken up with crime-boss Bill “The Butcher” Cunning.

“It’s warmer than you might think”.

In fact, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo Di Caprio) seems to be so contented with the menacing Cunning (Daniel Day Lewis), that it seems he’s almost forgotten the fact the man killed his priest father (Liam Neeson) in front of him, some 16 years before.

Almost, I say, because getting close to Cunning is all in the young Vallon’s grand plan to ultimately take down the madman.

From it’s gritty opening scene of rival gangs, the Natives (led by Cunning) and the Dead Rabbits (Led by Priest Vallon) going at it – we’re convinced Martin Scorsese has succeeded in bringing his long-time pet project to fruition - and successfully so.

With its sheer detail – locations, themes, speech, costumes, chronological precision – and superb turns from not only the leads, but the supporting actors too, you’ll be – for the preponderance – hooked 'till the very last bludgeon on camera.

Leonardo Di Caprio again proves himself one of the most versatile and capable forces in cinema today, while proven performers Jim Broadbent, Henry Thomas, John C.Reilly and Brendan Gleeson add solid support in their pivotal supporting roles.

Best of all though, Daniel Day Lewis.

The man is a revelation in his role as demented, and deliciously evil ‘The Butcher’. With his broad American accent, slurring vocalisations and almost theatre-like presence, the part-time actor is easily the best thing in the movie. He eats up every scene he’s in.

Unfortunately the same can’t be said for glamour-puss Cameron Diaz. She is so out of her depth here – it’s a wonder Scorsese took a chance on her – and her romantic scenes with Di Caprio offer less chemistry than a petrol drenched block of Cadbury's.

But, in some respects, Scorsese has put his performers second, and the detail of his film first. His film mightn’t come off as the Oscar-worthy masterpiece we may have hoped it would be, but with such sublime detail – yes, even with so much blood and violence – this truly is a powerful re-creation of long forgotten history and overshadowing coercion.

4 out of 5

Gangs of New York
Australian release: Thursday February 13
Cast: Leonardo Di Caprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C.Reilly, Henry Thomas, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson.
Director: Martin Scorcese.
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