When I reviewed Gangs of New York, I mentioned that there were a number of Academy Awards — notably Best Picture and some of the technical awards — where it lost out to Chicago. I wondered at the time if this was a case of highway robbery, or if Chicago really did deserve all the acclaim over the other film, and made a note to myself to check out the other film at some point. A few months later, I’ve had the chance to do so; while I don’t feel that Gangs of New York was out-and-out robbed — Chicago is a decent film and it’s easy to see why the Academy loved it — I do find myself disagreeing with the Academy, at least as far as which is the better picture.
Interestingly, there are some similarities between the two 2002 pictures, even though one wouldn’t expect much correlation between a film about gang warfare and a modern-day musical. But both are period pieces set in iconic American cities at pivotal points in their histories, and both meticulously established that period through the use of set design, costume design, and dialect. Also, coincidentally, both feature John C. Reilly in supporting roles. Continue reading
