Gangs of New York (2002)

Release date: 2002-12-20
Country: USA|Italy
Language: English|Irish|Chinese|Latin
Director: Martin Scorsese
Production Co: Miramax, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG), Alberto Grimaldi Productions
Genre: Drama, Crime
Rating: 7.5/10
Length: 2h 47min

Storyline

In the god-forsaken district of early-1860's Lower Manhattan known as the Five Points, the vicious Nativist, Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, is the supreme overlord of an area riddled with crime, prostitution, theft and murder, as the American Civil War still rages on. Sixteen whole years after the brutal murder of his father from Bill's blood-stained hands, an orphaned Irish-American, Amsterdam Vallon, returns to this melting pot of corruption to avenge his untimely death; however, a lot has changed since then. Who can remember the once innocent boy and now a young man bent on revenge, who works his way up to the hierarchy of Five Points? Will Amsterdam ever taste the dangerous but sweet fruit of retribution?

Plot Keywords

gangster, prostitution, catholic church, bludgeoning, american civil war, pickpocket, 1840s, irish american, political corruption, female nudity, eye gouging, city name in title, person on fire, police officer killed, independent film, torture, immigration, theater, new york city, butcher

Short Review

The visuals are strong, while the central narrative is weak (a disastrous combination for a long movie). Worst of all, Gangs of New York achieves far too little while trying much too hard.