Gangs of New York

Miramax films presents a Alberto Germaldi production

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio Daniel Day-Lewis Cameron Diaz

Plot: When two gangs go to war over some city blocks only death and vengeance are born. Dicaprio plays a young man who when he was young witnessed his fathers slaughter by the hands of a Daniel Day-Lewis. So several years later he joins Day-Lewis gang and tries to slowly get close to him so he can kill him. Its set during the 1860's so the Civil war has started and the draft of immigrants has started. Dicaprio runs into trouble falling in love with a pick pocket, played by Diaz. Soon he almost gets too close to Lewis's character but he knows what he must do.

Acting: Everyone is talking about Daniel Day-Lewis, who is wonderful in this movie and at points keeps the movie alive. But Leonardo and Cameron Diaz also do really good jobs and I think they are basically hidden in the shadows of Lewis's performance. Lewis and Dicaprio drew me into this movie easily and the relationship the two men have is interesting as it evolves. At points it seems that the Dicaprio character starts to admire Lewis even though he is his fathers killer. Some of the best acting I've seen this year was shown in this movie. It was shown a lot thankfully.

Directing/Writing: Well its Scorsese so of course he does a great job. Using many POV shots which I liked and using great music by the way. My only complaint is that some of the editing was messy towards the end. Maybe things were cut out and that is why but it kind of caught me off guard and took me away from the movie. I haft to say to have this movie bring up to topic of the draft riots and how unfair that war was in the North took some balls. I barely ever see that topic in history books let alone movies. I mean this movie actually taught me something which I was amazed. One of the themes of the movie that America was born with blood shed of violence intrigues me and I personally took this movie to heart because of that.

Overall: Its long but not boring long you'll love it all the way through. Its violent in places but its used the right way. I would say just go see this movie because of Daniel Day-Lewis, you won't forget this character I promise.

Stars:*****