Today’s quick review: American Gangster. Following the death of his mentor in 1968, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) sets out to build a criminal empire of his own. Using his extended family to help, Frank begins to ship in heroin directly from Southeast Asia, cornering the market and turning a massive profit. But his new product quickly catches the attention of Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), an honest cop placed in charge of a federal narcotics unit.
American Gangster is a crime drama directed by Ridley Scott. The movie tells the true story of Frank Lucas, a man from Harlem who took the drug trade to new heights in the late 1960s. Two solid performances from Denzel Washington and Ridley Scott give the movie the firm foundation it needs to build on. Clean execution, the scope of its story, and the complexities of its characters make American Gangster a fascinating watch for fans of the crime genre.
The heart of American Gangster is its characters. Frank Lucas makes for an ambiguous figure, a family man and an upstanding citizen who’s willing to get his hands dirty when need be. Seeing him walk the line between personal responsibility and criminal ambition is one of the greatest strengths of the movie. Richie Roberts also pulls his weight, doggedly pursuing Frank in spite of a troubled personal life and the rampant police corruption around him.
How much you get out of American Gangster will depend on how well you like the crime genre itself. Beyond the two fascinating characters at its center, the film has the same appeal as other biographical crime dramas. No single aspect of the movie stands out from the competition, but its execution is hard to fault. The deals, the corruption, the close calls, and the unlucky breaks are more than enough to keep the viewer engrossed from start to finish.
Give American Gangster a shot if you are interested in a serious, well-crafted tale of criminal enterprise. Two strong characters, interesting subject matter, and good storytelling fundamentals make it a worthwhile pick for anyone curious. Those who dislike true stories or don’t see the glamor in a life of crime should approach with caution.
For the Hong Kong equivalent, try Chasing the Dragon. For an understated crime drama with a similar setting and a more honest protagonist, try A Most Violent Year. For a similar true tale of a self-made mob boss, try Kill the Irishman. For an iconic crime drama starring Russell Crowe, try L.A. Confidential.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for great leads and a compelling story.