The 2002 movie Cameron Diaz called a masterpiece before she’d even seen it: “It gave me chills”
Cameron Diaz praised Martin Scorsese’s *Gangs of New York* as a “masterpiece” before seeing the finished film, saying brief footage made her emotional and gave her chills. The article presents her reaction as evidence of the anticipation surrounding Scorsese’s ambitious 2002 historical drama and his renewed prominence in the new century.
The film marked an early major collaboration between Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, replacing Robert De Niro as a frequent leading man, and also featured Daniel Day-Lewis and Liam Neeson. Its production included a 15-acre recreation of New York’s Five Points neighbourhood, reflecting Scorsese’s preference for large practical sets over CGI-heavy spectacle; the article notes that his later film *The Departed* is often regarded as an even stronger achievement.
- Diaz praised *Gangs of New York* before seeing its completed version.
- Scorsese built an enormous practical Five Points set for the film.
- The film began Scorsese’s major partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio.