American Gangster
AMERICAN GANGSTER: BETTER THAN SCARFACE, BUT IT’S NOT THE DEPARTED
American Gangster is a quality film with talented actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. But it doesn’t have the same punch as The Departed. It is about Frank Lucas, the first notorious African American gangster and Richie Roberts, the cop that took him down. It is a violent film set during the Vietnam War but yet it still resonates today. There is a reason why Ridley Scott keeps working with Russell Crowe (Gladiator). And Denzel is great as Lucas.
Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington)’s gangster boss has just passed away. He decides to seize the opportunity to take over and run Harlem in 1968. He goes to Bangkok to find Heroin in its purest form. He ships the goods he buys out of the country in a clever, inhumane way. He calls it Blue Magic and sells it for a low price to beat out his competitors, making enemies along the way. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is a cop who doesn’t go with the flow. He finds $1 million in unmarked cash and turns it in, making enemies among the cops for doing so. He is put in charge of a drug task force to stop the influx of drugs and their relationship with dirty cops. Lucas tries to stay low key and to not draw attention to him. But Roberts gets closer to Lucas with each step.
The story is based on the real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts. Lucas is a smart businessman who happened to deal heroin. No one was above his wrath, even family. The pace of the film tends toward the slow side. Washington plays Lucas cool and calculating. He uses subtle cruelty to get his message across to his wife. But he also shows his power boldly to his rivals. Crowe is a sad sack who is also a womanizer. He is a cop but is also studying for the bar exam. Josh Brolin turns in a surprising performance as a dirty cop, stealing every scene he is in. Cuba Gooding Jr. is a rival of Frank’s. He is flashy and loud, the exact opposite of him. Violence and drugs go hand in hand. Frank is shown beating his family for risking his business. Heroin addicts lie in filth with their children looking on. The film is set in Harlem during the late 60s and early 70s. The costumes standout, supporting these characters and their personas. Lucas is powerful in his sharp, clean suits and Roberts in his printed button downs and tight fitting jeans. Lucas’s loud chinchilla coat plays a major part in the film.
The movie wants to draw you in the way The Departed did. But even with strong performances and Scott’s direction, it doesn’t pull you in and make you want to identify with these men.
There is a dream team with American Gangster. Ridley Scott, Denzel Washington, and Russell Crowe are all important men in Hollywood. Solid performances, Vietnam, and drugs all lend to an authentic film.
Report Card:
Story-B+
Acting-B+
Visuals-B
Originality/Innovation-B
Enjoyability Grade–B
Overall Grade-B
|
