The Dead Rabbits, the Plug Ugly's, the 40 Thieves, the Slaughter Houser's and the Confederation of American Natives. All historical gangs of New York during the late 1800's. Though a fictional story, Gangs of New York is centered in historical accounts of the time period.
Critics gave the move good reviews. Nominated for 10 academy awards, the nearly 3 hour-long movie has however received mixed reviews from my friends. My friend Miles owns a copy. He loves the battle scenes and is repeatedly drawn to imagining himself living in such an environment. "Just think what it would be like have to watch your back all the time. You'd have to be a little crazy to survive. I can't believe that's what it was like in America just 100 years ago." He also got a kick out of the special features which include a history channel special.
My roommate Ryan does not agree. He thought there were some cool fight scenes but the movie was much longer than needed. "I was thinking the movie was going to end soon and then the words appear, 'insert disk two.' I should have just gone to bed." Indeed the movie seems to be endlessly building up towards a dramatic finish. When the end finally comes however, it is mixed with chaos from the parallel story of the political situation and riots. Almost after the fact is the anticlimactic hero vs. villain scene where Amerstdam Valon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is to exact revenge on the evil Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis) for killing his father, scarring him for life, abusing his girlfriend (Cameron Diaz) and his people. The end to this long movie can leave one wondering, "Is that it?".
Never the less, I found value in this movie simply from a fascinating and educational perspective. It gives yet another window into the toil and danger of immigration and the unrest of the civil war period in America. Also of note is the sociological insight into the world of gangs. The movie prompted me to think about the function of gangs.