MovieChat Forums > Gangs of New York (2002) Discussion > Tweed Dystopia: Cinematic Crutch

Tweed Dystopia: Cinematic Crutch

posted 8 years ago by abishai_gangulee
1 reply | jump to latest

This rather dramatic period-piece explores the 1800s Boss Tweed era, when gangs ruled the streets of New York and immigration was 'mingled' with territorial battles and political corruption.

Bill, leader of the Italian-Americans, butts-heads with Amsterdam, leader of the Irish-Americans and son of Priest Vallon (former leader executed by Bill in a watershed fight).

While some of the acting is very good and the set designs are really terrific, overall, the film is too ambitious to be considered a historical experience unless you're simply immersed in the enjoyment of 'time-travel storytelling.'

I thought Cameron Diaz was terrific as a wayward pickpocket-woman who changes hands with both Bill and Amsterdam and provides 'atmospheric light-heartedness.'

This is actually an important film if you like stories about turmoil.

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BILL: Maybe gangs will always rule New York.
AMSTERDAM: Some day, good leaders will rise from this anarchy.
BILL: I doubt it; people will always be fascinated by trouble.
AMSTERDAM: The streets belong to optimistic immigrants.
BILL: The streets right now belong to Boss Tweed.
AMSTERDAM: I'm here to honor my father's work.
BILL: Priest Vallon was noble if ill-fated!
AMSTERDAM: You killed him!
BILL: Gang fights are not for the soft-hearted.
AMSTERDAM: I will find love.
BILL: And I will continue to rule with an iron-fist.
AMSTERDAM: Trouble will find you, Bill!

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😷

The Warriors (1979 Film):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)

Boss Tweed:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Tweed

[–] xxxphilbluntxxx 8 years ago

Did u even watch the movie? Bill is not the leader of an Italian-American gang! It must say 1000 different times and ways that he's a "native" and "true american" etc. He leads a gang of people that hate foreigners and were all born in America (minus the one Irish guy he has as his personal bitch). Obviously it's ridiculous to call themselves "natives" when they obviously were decedents of those who took the land from actual Native Americans.