Gangs of New York

A precisely aimed and, above all, unexpected jab right between the eyes. If you're in the right mood, one of Martin Scorsese's best films, which pushes all actors to heavenly performances and manages to create an environment that is captivating and at the same time believable. (05/28/2006)

Very good. Martin Scorsese's direction is very precise, the casting is amazing, Leonardo DiCaprio is great, Daniel Day-Lewis is devilish and Cameron Diaz is seductive. Despite the long running time, the film is not boring and impresses especially with its gritty period setting, the production design and the rather rough scenes, which could have been tightened up and I would have been more satisfied. 80% (12/21/2015)

The script is a questionable mess that probably wants to be something in the style of The Godfather or Once Upon a Time in America, but in the end it is just a patchwork of scenes. But those scenes are so impressively delivered and acted that it doesn't really matter that much. (01/15/2007)

Scorsese is back! Personally, one of the peaks of the historical genre for me, with great sets and Daniel Day-Lewis. It's not fast, it's not aggressive, I wouldn't hesitate to call it a tribute to classics. It is slow storytelling with emphasis on characters, with minimal visual effects, accompanied by period music. An impressive fresco. (10/26/2003)

That organized crime played a significant role in the building of American society, not only during Prohibition, is widely known, and the intertwining of American political elites at the local level with the underworld could be the basis for epic TV series that would grab the attention of crowds while still staying true to reality. Scorsese could have undoubtedly directed a magnificent story without using exaggerated elements like in the case of Gangs of New York. Even the opening scene of the battle between two clans looks like something out of a dark medieval fantasy, full of characters who seem to have just stepped out of a sadomasochistic roleplay session. It's all shot for effect, with brutal violence and exaggeration that would be more fitting for a comic book. What works perfectly is the scene that truly breathes a romanticized, yet still somewhat accurate, history of America's most famous metropolis. The cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis, is also solid. However, from a director of Martin Scorsese's caliber, I expected something more than a costume drama with a B-movie theme based on these non-existent underworld rituals and their glorification. The reality was much more down-to-earth. Overall impression: 60%. (01/03/2011)