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Leonardo DiCaprio has long been a staple in the genre of crime thrillers, with films like “Inception” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” marking his illustrious career. However, one film that often slips under the radar is the 2002 historical epic “Gangs of New York,” directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and featuring the formidable Daniel Day-Lewis. Now, this underrated masterpiece has found a new home on Paramount+.
Miramax
Set against the gritty backdrop of 1862 New York City, the film follows the journey of Amsterdam Vallon, portrayed by DiCaprio, as he returns to the infamous Five Points neighborhood. Driven by a thirst for revenge, Amsterdam aims to confront the notorious William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting, brought to life by Day-Lewis, who is the ruthless leader of an anti-immigrant gang. This vendetta is fueled by the murder of Amsterdam’s father, “Priest” Vallon, played by Liam Neeson, and the subsequent persecution of Irish Catholics. Amsterdam’s quest for justice is further complicated by the political machinations of Tammany Hall and the chaos of the 1863 draft riots.
The production of “Gangs of New York” was fraught with challenges. The film faced significant budget overruns due to its technically demanding scenes, reshoots insisted upon by the now-disgraced Harvey Weinstein, and delays triggered by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Despite these hurdles, the film managed to impress critics and grossed an impressive $193.7 million at the box office. Yet, it failed to achieve the enduring impact of other DiCaprio-Scorsese collaborations such as “The Aviator” or “The Departed.”
A notable disappointment for “Gangs of New York” came at the 2003 Academy Awards, where it was nominated for 10 Oscars but failed to win any. This included snubs for Day-Lewis in the Best Actor category, Scorsese for Best Director, and the film itself for Best Picture. Controversy arose when Miramax, the film’s distributor, commissioned an article with producer Robert Wise advocating for its Best Picture consideration, leading to backlash and forcing a reevaluation of how studios campaign for awards.
In retrospect, many believe Day-Lewis and Scorsese deserved recognition for their work. Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Bill the Butcher stands as one of his most compelling performances, capturing a character who is both eloquent and sinister, with a disdain for anyone not descended from the United States’ Founding Fathers. The film, however, was not without its criticisms, facing scrutiny for certain character portrayals and historical inaccuracies.
Gangs of New York didn’t win a single of its 10 Oscar noms
Despite the setbacks and imperfections, “Gangs of New York” remains a testament to Scorsese’s filmmaking prowess and marked the beginning of a highly successful collaboration with DiCaprio. While the film may not have turned out as Scorsese initially envisioned, the partnership it sparked between the director and his leading man has undoubtedly been worth the tumultuous journey.
As a result, “Gangs of New York” went home empty-handed, and the ruckus caused by Miramax’s faux pas forced production companies to rethink how they campaigned for accolades. In hindsight, many say that Day-Lewis and Scorsese were snubbed. Day-Lewis, in particular, boasts Bill the Butcher as one of his best performances, developing a savvy talker and sadistic individual who hates anyone who’s not a relative of the United States’ Founding Fathers.
The film itself has received other notable criticisms, including certain characters who fans felt ruined the movie and the many historical inaccuracies presented. Scorsese may have been disappointed to see his passion project not be as pristine a production as he had envisioned. Ultimately though, he got the movie made, and it started the fruitful partnership between him and Leonardo DiCaprio that certainly made the troubles worth it.
