Category Archives: Kenneth Lonergan

2002 Films, Brendan Gleeson, Cameron Diaz, Crime Drama, Daniel Day-Lewis, David Hemmings, Drama, Epic, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Kenneth Lonergan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Liam Neeson, Martin Scorsese

Gangs of New York-2002

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Gangs of New York-2002

Director Martin Scorsese

Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz

Scott’s Review #1,327

Reviewed December 26, 2022

Grade: A-

Gangs of New York (2002) is an extremely violent and bloody epic by director Martin Scorsese that is an exquisite piece of filmmaking nearly flawless in every way except maybe its length and story.

On the one hand, it’s a beautifully choreographed and filmed crime drama with perfect costumes, art direction, and cinematography. Still, on the other, it’s tedious and lengthy, especially during the final hour, with choppy storytelling and seemingly one long continuous battle.

Scorsese being Scorsese and knowing his way around crafting an excellent film or two left me ruminating over the cinema and pondering whether I’d ever need to see it again.

Usually, I’m all in when it comes to repeated viewings of his films,  especially Raging Bull (1980) or Goodfellas (1990) but with Gangs of New York, the sobering almost three hours running time and the non-stop bloodshed gives me pause.

It’s not a mafia film but it is an Irish-centered crime drama harkening back to the mid-1800s so there are historical lessons to be exposed to. Familiar with most of his films there are good guys, bad guys, and a criminal, feuding overtone, and lots of grit and grime to plow through.

I can’t say it’s one of Scorsese’s top 10 but it’s a grandiose, epic-length behemoth that features a host of top-name talent but there are nonetheless aspects that leave it slightly beneath his most famous works.

But that’s nearly akin to comparing the works of Beethoven, Rembrandt, or other geniuses of one art form or another. Anyone respecting Scorsese or appreciating good cinema should see Gangs of New York.

Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a young Irish immigrant released from prison. He returns to the Five Points seeking revenge against his father’s killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis) also known as ‘The Butcher’, a brutal and powerful anti-immigrant gang leader.

He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting’s inner circle. Amsterdam’s journey became a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people in 1860’s New York.

The most delicious part of the film is the rivalry between Amsterdam and ‘The Butcher’. DiCaprio and Day-Lewis make powerful sparring partners and as much as Amsterdam’s motivations are admirable it’s Day-Lewis who has the more interesting character.

To no one’s surprise, the actor channels his inner dictator as he method acts throughout the film. To no one’s additional surprise, he steals the show away from other tremendous actors like DiCaprio, Jim Broadbent, and John C. Reilly in supporting roles.

However, I need to ask why Day-Lewis was selected for the Lead Actor Oscar category when he is a supporting one.

Worthy of mention is Cameron Diaz who, for once, plays the dramatic role of a pickpocket. Typically cast in comedic roles she shows she has acting chops.

The story gets a bit wayward about halfway through and I stopped giving the story much credence about three-quarters of the way through. It’s as if Scorsese had frenetic schizophrenia moments with tons of good ideas but none of them formulating a cohesive plot.

The New York City setting is a favorite of mine especially pre-civil war and well before the NYC of modern times even existed. The prevalence of Canal Street and various others make this northeasterner heavily invested in geography.

Finally, to bring it all full circle, Gangs of New York powerfully reminds the audience of the age-old topic of immigration and how those who have citizenship too often oppose those who desire to enter a country they once also did.

‘The Butcher’s’ brutal opposition is a sad reminder of how the United States of America was never united and the senseless violence towards immigrants is never-ending.

Gangs of New York (2002) may not be Scorsese’s best work but even on his worst day, he creates a film worth watching. Mixing toxic masculinity, and revenge with a crazy story he succeeds where other directors might fail by providing compelling filmmaking with all the fixings.

Just don’t get too hung up on the story points.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Martin Scorsese, Best Actor-Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song-“The Hands That Built America”, Best Sound

2016 Films, Casey Affleck, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, Kenneth Lonergan, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges, Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Michelle Williams, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Tate Donovan

Manchester by the Sea-2016

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Manchester by the Sea-2016

Director Kenneth Lonergan

Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams

Scott’s Review #542

Reviewed December 11, 2016

Grade: A

Manchester by the Sea (2016) is a beautiful film.

Told from a slow build-up to a crescendo and a big reveal mid-stream about one of the character’s pasts, it takes time, which is why it is so compelling.

The audience slowly becomes familiar with the characters, making them rich with nuances. They care about them and their predicaments, just as good, solid storytelling should.

The film is a slice of life, dark drama, but I did not find it to be a downer in the least bit—instead, a film with rich writing and great characters. A good movie makes you care for the characters like real people.

Casey Affleck is excellent as the lead character, Lee Chandler. In the film, he plays a janitor who lives a mundane life in Quincy, Massachusetts, tending to apartment buildings. He calmly deals with indifferent, angry, or odd tenants.

Affleck portrays this man with reserve and occasional outbursts of rage. His anger is confusing, but as the story unfolds, we begin to understand what this man has been through and the reasoning behind his anger, even though he is a good person.

Lee receives a call one day with news that his brother, Joe, has died.

Kyle Chandler plays Joe through many flashbacks throughout the film. Upon Joe’s death, Lee returns to Manchester (where he formerly resided) and is told he will be the guardian of his sixteen-year-old nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges).

In the mix are the characters of Joe and Lee’s ex-wives- Elise and Randi (Michelle Williams), playing small yet pivotal roles.

The film is dark, and many characters either suffer from emotional trauma, neurosis, or some other maladies, either physical or emotional.

The slice-of-life analogy comes into play. Everyone can relate to these characters in some way, and most people have lived in towns like this and/or have suffered crappy turns of events in life.

When Lee returns to Mansfield, he is a familiar face with a hint of mystery and history. Mansfield is a small town; everyone knows each other’s business, and the characters are hardened, blue-collar, and rugged individuals.

In addition to Affleck’s compelling performance, Williams must be mentioned. She gives a tremendous, heart-wrenching performance as a good woman in pain, trying to carry on and do the right things, forging some adequate existence, as is Lee.

Anyone who has gone through pain (which is everybody) can relate to these characters.

The supporting cast, including even the tiny characters, is perfectly cast and has hearty Boston-type accents that I loved. From Joe’s wife to Patrick’s girlfriend’s mother to various other walk-on characters, each has a vulnerability mixed with toughness.

It is as if life has been challenging, and they are wary of trust, yet they help each other and stick together.

The characters are a major positive to Manchester by the Sea.

Many reflective moments abound within the film, and we are often given scenes of Lee driving down the highway deep in thought. Or long shots of the vast Atlantic Ocean, where fishing is a large part of the character’s lives.

Fishing boats and waves are monumental in the film.

These are not throwaway scenes but interesting, compelling moments rich with meaning.

During the best sequence of the film, when a startling event occurs, the scenes are mixed with classical and operatic music, giving the scenes and the shocking revelations power and meat.

It is heavy stuff but also beautiful, with a compelling musical score.

Not to be drowned by the heavy drama, Manchester has some quirky, dry humor moments. When Joe is initially told about his heart condition, he and his father unintentionally call his female Asian doctor by the wrong name.

When family friends host a party following Awaken, they awkwardly misunderstand each other when they attempt to fix Lee a plate of food. Finally, nobody can find the deceased Joe’s belongings at the hospital. These awkward moments add some comic relief to the film.

I adore well-crafted, emotional, compelling family dramas. Too often, they are cliche-ridden and highly predictable.

Manchester by the Sea (2016) has brilliant writing, top-notch acting, and intricately layered characters.

This film has it all.

Oscar Nominations: 2 wins-Best Picture, Best Director-Kenneth Lonergan, Best Actor-Casey Affleck (won), Best Supporting Actor-Lucas Hedges, Best Supporting Actress-Michelle Williams, Best Original Screenplay (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Male Lead-Casey Affleck (won), Best Supporting Male-Lucas Hedges, Best Screenplay, Best Editing