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After sleeping and thinking about this autrocity of Daniel Day-Lewis not winning the Best Actor Academy Award for
Gangs of New York, I have realized that he rightfully lost for 3 reasons. The same 3 reasons that Denzel Washington won his Oscar for
Training Day. I will make this "short and sweet" so no one is reading an essay or term paper.
Reason #1: Ending of the script for
Gangs of New York.
Unfortunately, Martin Scorsese wanted to jump about 10 years ahead in history and have the New York City Draft Riots during the Civil War in 1863 kill one of the greatest characters in American Cinema (Bill "The Butcher" Cutting). He should have had Day-Lewis die the same way the real "Bill The Butcher" of New York City died; in a massive New York City gang fight and brawl in about 1855. That would have made the movie better and allowed Day-Lewis a better plot ending to work with and shine in. It would have also been a great ending to watch in theaters.
Where as Denzel Washington was able to have a beautiful death (my opinion) by being in a fight that lasted the majority of the endind in
Training Day and then being shot to pieces by Russians with HK G3s and AK-47s. Beats drowning or growing old.
Reason #2: Casting Leonardo DiCaprio as his enemy/friend.
In 2000 you had any number of British/Irish actors that would have done much better in the role of "Amsterdam Vallon" played by DiCaprio. Scorsese should have cast an actor more "rugged" and tough. Daniel Craig and Colin Ferell or someone along those lines should have had the part.
Reason #3: Casting Cameron Diaz as the "Love Interest".
I am sure Sienna Miller or Kate Winslett or any other British actresses were available to clearly play a better "Jenny" than Diaz. The movie would have been more authentic with and authentic British "love Interest".
In hind site, it is proper that Daniel Day-Lewis did not win the Acacemy Award for his Lead role in
Gangs of New York. He had too many factors going against him, even if his performance was flawless. In every part of the movie, Day-Lewis stole every scene. Unfortunately, other than James Broadent (William Tweed) no other actors (DiCaprio & Diaz) were worth stealing scenes from.
Denzel Washington was blessed to have a great cast that allowed him to "work his magic" and take home his Oscar winnings.
Lets ALL hope and prey that Daniel Day-Lewis is able to recover and hit Oscar "Pay Dirt" with his new film
There Will Be Blood because the cast is fresh and authentic and this film and his performance have Academy Award and Oscar "Gold" written all over it. And I smell a Winner!

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