When you know that Martin Scorsese has just made a film, you probably jump out, grab your coat and are set out to watch it. Well, I tried the same, but got to watch this movie on the last day and last show, (see my determination??) and was totally worth it.
The storyline of this epic made film is simple, that of Revenge. The start of the movie shows a battle between the Irish immigrants who have settled in York City in 1832 and the Americans. Led by Liam Neeson(Schindler’s List) as(’Priest’ Vallon), the Irish put up a brave fight but eventually lose to the Americans headed by Daniel Day-Lewis as William Cutting, (’Bill ’The Butcher’)(My Left Foot). Vallon is killed by William Cutting and 10 years later Vallon Jr. comes back for revenge.
The difficult situation for Irish immigrants , and the one man rule of The Butcher(Lewis) over all the people makes life difficult except if you’re an American. The art direction of this film is done to perfection. The accent of the natives, costumes and hairstyles are perfectly taken care of. As this may be too long a movie (DVD version) which streched over 3 hours it does lose link sometimes. But the 2 best parts of the movies are in the start and in the end battle.
Leonardo DiCaprio(Titanic, Catch Me If You Can)as (Amsterdam Vallon) excels as usual, and has come over the years as a fine performer. Essentially the show is stolen by Daniel Day Lewis. He has come a long way after his Oscar winning performance in ’’My Left Foot’’ which is undoubtedly the best performance by anyone, ever. When you watch the film you wouldn’t be watching Lewis act you would see The Butcher only. It would be wrong not to include Cameron Diaz(The Mask, Charlie’s Angels) as (Jenny Everdeane) who plays a pick-pocketer and then lover of Amsterdam.
This movie was nominated for 10 Oscar Awards but won none. Though the link and the story sways away at times and there are many questionable scenes in the film, this is truly a masterpiece of one of the many Scorsese works. The only trouble you’ll find might be the length otherwise, it’s an excellent film.
So if you go to watch it, dont expect anything great but be sure that if you’re a Scorsese fan, then dont miss it.