“Gangs of New York” DVD Review

Pros

• Fascinating sprawling historical epic
• Good insight into American history
• Memorable performance by Daniel Day-Lewis

Cons

• Lacks strong narrative drive
• Characters not always compelling
• DVDs break movie at awkward place

Description

• Two-disc DVD set containing historical drama “Gangs of New York” (2002)
• Directed by Martin Scorsese, movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards
• Film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz
• DVDs provide feature-length audio commentary by director Martin Scorsese
• DVDs provide many extras, including historical background
• Excellent picture and sound quality
• DVD release date: July 1, 2003

Guide Review - “Gangs of New York” DVD Review

I love Martin Scorsese films, and although “Gangs of New York” is not quite at the level of his very best movies, it’s still a stunning achievement. I think the best thing about the film is its operatic look at the remarkable changes in American life during the period 1846 to 1863. I don’t find the story itself, which involves a young man (DiCaprio) avenging his father’s death at the hands of a powerful gang leader (Day-Lewis), to be all that interesting. There’s also a not-so-compelling romance between DiCaprio’s character and a pickpocket (Diaz). But what I like about the movie is its depiction of tenement life in Lower Manhattan, the immigrant experience, the political system, and the Union’s military draft during the Civil War.

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