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Gangs of New York
Director:
Martin Scorcese
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo Dicaprio, Cameron Diaz, Henry Thomas, Liam Neeson, Stephen Graham.
 It’s a period film set in the 1800s, a table of such epic proportions and complexities that only a film-maker with a sweeping vision can envision it. A film is so visually absorbing and rivetting in its depiction of the tumultuous times of New York’s violent, crime-ridden past, that one is transported in time for the film’s entire running time of two hours and fortyfive minutes.
‘Gangs of New York’ is about the conflict between the earlier American immigrants (descendents of Europeans and mainly Protestants), and the new immigrants, mostly Catholics and of Irish descent. Weaved in is the story of an orphan boy’s plan of vendetta against the man who had brutally killed his father. It’s also the period when Civil War is under way in America.
The scene of action centers on Five Points, New York’s centre of vice and corruption. Amsterdam Vallon (Dicaprio), a young Irish American immigrant released from prison after 16 years, returns to Five Points to avenge the death of his father, Priest Vallon (Neesam), at the hands of William Cutting aka Bill The Butcher (Day-Lewis).
Amsterdam works his way into the inner circle of Bill, becomes his confidante and then his surrogate son, biding his time for revenge. The entry of Jenny, a pickpocket, with whom Amsterdam falls in love, precipitates matters. For, Jenny has a past that is linked with Bill. Amsterdam soon finds himself the leader of the dissatisfied immigrants, takes on Bill and his gang, and it’s a bloody war between the two sides with many lives lost in the bargain.
Towering over others in performance is Daniel Day-Lewis, roguish, flambouyant, ruthless, yet vulnerable at times. A film and a performance you wouldn’t want to miss!
Malini Mannath
Published on 1st Dec, 2003
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