Over the top can work in movies. Think Pacino in Scarface or Nichlson in the Shining. But it's a delicate balance. And here Bill is just to over the top. With all the screaming and carrying on and that stupid accent. It's very cartoonish. Granted it's not the films only problem. Cameron Diaz and the whole romance subplot was especially awful. But it's still a big problem
shareCompletely disagree. Everyone said TWBB is DDL's best performance. I've always thought Gangs of New York was his best performance (just not his best movie). I don't see a smidge of overacting. His character is a charismatic psychopath, very complex. You, as a viewer, can't even decide how you feel toward him. That's good acting.
shareI would say he was over the top if I didn't know people just like him.
shareBill wasn't suppose to just be some average joe schmuck. He was suppose to be unique and different from all the other gang leaders, thugs, thieves, politicians, etc...
To me, his character is the saving grace of this movie. Whenever I think of this movie I always think of the Butcher. Hell...even the first character that comes to mind for me for Daniel Day-Lewis is Bill the Butcher.