Violent ‘Gangs’ good, but not great

Expectations can be difficult to overcome. The release of any

Martin Scorcese film promises greatness and is consequently vilified

when it comes up short.

Scorcese’s most recent offering, “Gangs of New York,” is very good

in many respects, but does not quite measure up to the director’s

best efforts.

“Gangs of New York” is a blood-soaked, relentlessly grim account

of a forgotten chapter in American history. The film’s plot hinges on

two actual events -- the famous Five Points gang fight in the 1840s,

and the ferocious Civil War draft riots that nearly destroyed the

city. This latter resulted in government troops firing on civilians

and a naval bombardment of the city.

Five Points is the center of turmoil as the burgeoning immigrant

population, mostly Irish, fight for a measure of prosperity against

the native gangs that control the area. The film opens as the Irish

gangs prepare for the final battle over control of Five Points.

One of these gangs, the Dead Rabbits, is led by Priest Vallon

(Liam Neeson). Priest prepares for battle with a religious ritual as

his young son Amsterdam looks on.

The battle is ferocious, fought with knives, swords, axes and

clubs, and the ground is soon littered with the dead and dying. The

Irish are soundly defeated, Priest is dead, and the native gangs and

their leader, William Cutting, or Bill the Butcher (Daniel

Day-Lewis), become the undisputed rulers of Five Points.

Priest’s son is sent off to the aptly named Hellgate House of

Reform orphanage. Sixteen years later, Amsterdam, now played by

Leonardo DiCaprio, is released and returns to Five Points to avenge

his father.

Scorcese’s recreation of 1840s New York is reminiscent of Dickens

in the larger-than-life characters and the teeming humanity of the

slums. Intellectually, one must know the streets and neighborhood

portrayed on the screen are nothing but the moviemaker’s art.

Nonetheless, the film is convincing and at times breathtaking.

The film also highlights the absolute corruption of the era’s

public officials and includes such historical figures as Boss Tweed

and P.T. Barnum. Scorcese appears in a brief amusing cameo.

DiCaprio delivers a convincing performance. The addition of a

reported 25 pounds and a wispy beard gives him the physical presence

required for the brooding and violent Amsterdam.

The weakest performance is delivered by Cameron Diaz as Jenny, a

part that exists only to provide the obligatory romantic interest.

Diaz actually detracts from the film at times, particularly when her

Irish accent noticeably comes and goes.

Day-Lewis’ Bill the Butcher is an unforgettable character. Bill is

sadistically violent and admittedly rules by fear, but is curiously

well-spoken and somewhat philosophical. Day-Lewis dominates “Gangs,”

and the film would suffer greatly without his strong performance.

“Gangs of New York” is a bit hard to watch. There is hardly a

respite from the grinding poverty, gruesome violence and general

misery. It is well done, but is such an assault on the senses that

one survives the film rather than enjoys it. The running time of two

hours and 46 minutes does not help.

Given this mix of attributes and shortcomings, I can only give

“Gangs” a very qualified recommendation.

* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at

Cal State Long Beach.