Gangs of New York is a film by Martin Scorsese dedicated to the lives of new Irish emigrants to the New World. Based on the 1970 book by Herbert J. Asbury, the film has all the ingredients for a prestigious Hoolywood movie: an exceptional cast, led by a famous director!
1846. The Five Points neighborhood is torn apart by a terrible clan war between the Native Americans, led by Bill the Butcher, and the Dead Rabbits, led by Father Vallon, an honorable Irishman.
Following a violent clash for control of the neighborhood, Bill the Butcher succeeds in coldly murdering Père Vallon, while the latter’s son looks on, and takes control of Five Points for good.
Sixteen years later, Amsterdam Vallon, Père Vallon’s son, returns to the neighborhood with a vengeance. On his return, he finds the Five Points district still in the hands of Bill the Butcher, who juggles small-time scams, big-time deals and bribing politicians.
Amsterdam soon tries to infiltrate the Dead Rabbits clan to get closer to his adversary. But his encounter with Jenny Everdeane, a pretty pickpocket, complicates his plans for revenge…
Aided by an impressive cast, including Leonardo Dicaprio, Daniel Day Lewis and Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese plunges us into the heart of a folkloric, booming New York, where clans and gangs of hoodlums proliferate. It’s a rather colorful vision, highlighting some of America’s current problems. Emigration, ethnic minorities, social integration, misery and poverty…these are the issues that Scorsese raises, in an extravagant, folkloric setting.
The Irish aspect is, of course, a theme that runs throughout the film. An interesting way of revealing the way of life at the time, during the mass emigration of the Irish, who came in search of hope, happiness and an end to poverty…
3.67/5 (3 votes)
