Teenager Ray Trueblood is wrongfully accused of murdering a police officer after his fellow gang member Billy Masters does the deed. Hoping to elude the police, he flees Brooklyn, NY and joins the U.S. Marines. Returning 10 years later, Trueblood is dismayed to learn that his younger brother Donny is now running with a gang led by Masters. Trueblood soon finds himself depending on his military training & experience to protect his friends and family from the ruthless Masters.
**_Gangs of New York… in the late ’80s_**
Shot in the dead of summer, 1988, this is an urban drama/thriller that comes in the tradition of “The Warriors,” “Delirium” (1979), “Rumble Fish” and “Certain Fury,” but it’s the least of ’em. On the positive side, it has the most action of these movies and Jeff Fahey (from “Psycho III”) makes for a great protagonist. Plus, you can’t go wrong with Sherilyn Fenn, one of the most beautiful women of the ’80s, as observed in “The Wraith” and “Two Moon Junction”; unfortunately, her presence isn’t milked for anything near what it’s worth (not talkin’ ’bout sleaze).
The first half suggests a possible hidden gem, but the dramatics are ultimately shallow and much ado about nothing. So, you’re not pulled into the story, which isn’t helped by hammy bits influenced by “The Warriors.” This is less surreal and more gritty-realistic than that iconic film, but the script needed another run through the typewriter to flesh out depth and interest.
It runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in Hoboken, New Jersey, which is located across the Hudson River from Manhattan.
GRADE: C+
