Frank Lucas: This is my home. My country. Frank Lucas don't run from nobody. This is America. (American Gangster (DVD))

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	American Gangster (DVD)
Date:	02/09/09 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great story and cast,great directing

Disadvantages: bit slow moving in parts/long

Introduction

American Gangster was released in 2007 as a crime film. It has a number of high profile actors starring in it and is directed by one of the film directing greats, Ridley Scott. It is a great gangster film and one of the best in its genre especially in recent times. The film is based on a true story and real events.

Plot

The film stars the main character of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does this by purchasing heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product trade mark "Blue Magic" is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position as the top dog. The film is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government attempting to bring down Lucas' drug empire.

Opinion

American Gangster is a very well directed and acted out film with a very good storyline. It is in part a portrait of late 60s-early 70s Harlem and America which is full of drugs, desperation and weakness, where the strong rise above the rest and the cops are dirtier than the rats. As a crime thriller it's entertaining and at 2 hours 37 minutes although quite long keeps you interested throughout.

Denzel Washington delivers a marvellous performance of a man calm and patient yet heart-stoppingly ferocious at some points. His character is fearless and ambitious but likeable as always. His performances tend not to disappoint and this is another great one. Russell Crowe also has a good performance in the role of the good cop. There is a good chemistry which is developed between the two characters of Lucas and Roberts. There is also a good support cast with Josh Brolin as the crooked cop being especially good.

Ridley Scott's direction is brilliant. He creates New York and the rats living in it with fantastic attention to detail, and most of the scenes in the film are shot and constructed very welll.

Overall its a fantastic crime drama and gangster flick which portrays 1960-70's Harlem and America accurately in both an insightful and enjoyable way.

Film details:

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Produced by:

Ridley Scott
Brian Grazer
James Whitaker
Steven Zaillian
Nicholas Pileggi

Written by: Steven Zaillian

Starring:

Denzel Washington
Russell Crowe
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Josh Brolin
Ruby Dee
Lymari Nadal
Ted Levine
John Hawkes
RZA
Carla Gugino
Idris Elba
with Armand Assante
and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date(s)
November 2, 2007

Running time
Theatrical cut
157 min.

Summary: great crime/gangster film