While this film takes place in 1862 with the draft for the Civil War in full effect, the main plot is rather timeless. The birthers don't wish to have immigrants enter their country, at least in this film. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Vallon who watched his father (Liam Neeson) die as a boy before spending time in some sort of prison/religious orphanage. But now he's a grown man and is out. His old friend, Johnny (Henry Thomas) is once again at his side. The city is now basically ruled by Bill Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis) and at first, despite knowing the truth, Vallon scoops up the praises of Bill before deciding to form his own gang of minorities to rally against Cutting, essentially destroying the city in the process.
It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's the gist. What is most impressive is the scenery as you can truly believe that you are back in New York in 1862, which is no small feat. However, I don't think the one Catholic prayer that Vallon says was written until later in that century. The performances are mostly solid though every once in a while, DiCaprio's or Cameron Diaz's accent slips, which is not acceptable. Still, after the rocky beginning with almost comically-bizarre fight sequence, the film is surprising watchable and moves by rather quickly, again no small feat for a two and a half hour film. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Cameron Diaz delivers solid support as a female pickpocketer, Jenny. She was taken under Cutting's wing and was also his former lover, until she had a caesarian section (it's never mentioned what happened to the baby), because despite his name, his women can't have scars. The love triangle is painfully underdeveloped.
-There are also supporting turns from Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly and Brendan Gleeson.
-Though Vallon is called Amsterdam, you never learn his actual first name.
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