Film/DVD Review
Title: American Gangster
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Ridley Scott
Principal Actors: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Andre Assante, Ruby Dee
DVD Release: February 19^th 2008
Length: 158 Minutes (theatrical), 175 Minutes (extended version)
Rating: Rated R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality.

4 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

This couldn't be a more perfect date-night movie, a little violence and vulgar language for the lads and a little Gladiator and Hurricane for the lasses. Yep, we always wanted De Niro and Pacino to hit the big screen together in a gritty crime drama, and we were lucky enough to get the privilege in Heat, which left a lasting impression. Evolving to present day and you couldn't find a better pairing of actors than Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in yet another gritty crime drama. I've learned that if two great actors get together for a gritty crime drama a few elements are required; they have to be long films, each lead needs to carry the film separately, they need to be on opposing sides of the law, and an ultimate ‘manly' showdown is required. Posthumously speaking, American Gangster has all that to offer and just a little bit more.

Actually, one more element is required...the characters have to be ‘based on real people.' American Gangster is an incredibly interesting true story about an African-American Drug-Lord in the 1970s controlling most of Harlem, who is more powerful than the Mafia, bringing 100% pure heroin to the district of New Jersey. High-profile pusher Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) manages to keep off the police force 'number one' target list by keeping his operation of drugs both clean, and politely subdued. On the surface, you would see Lucas as an efficient businessman more inclined to try and sell you insurance than a kilo of anything. Lucas uses the Vietnam War as a way to smuggle his product known as ‘blue magic' into the US in the coffins of soldiers who perceived they died for the protection of their country. It seems almost sadistic and yet too unbelievable to be true, which is exactly why the life of Frank Lucas, and the shear cheek on his part, makes for great film subject matter.

Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is a detective in New Jersey who has a failed marriage, late-night law school he is trying to complete, a wandering eye and a desire to be an honest cop. Roberts is reviled by most of the police force after he hands in close to a million dollars that was found during a stakeout. In a corrupt police institution, being an honest cop was like painting a bull's eye on Robert's back.

The film was long alright, close to three hours and somewhat unnecessarily so. Pacing is always so important, but it took almost an hour and a half into the film before Roberts finally first sets eyes on Lucas. Of course that hour and a half is filled with both men's lives and goals, so that when they finally start the cat and mouse we know exactly where each man is within his social framework.

Rather than go for the big bang showdown between Roberts and Lucas, a more delicate and finalized approach took shape that made for more interesting commentary to the story. Both actors are exceptionally good in their roles (but you already probably know that) and Washington always seems to be so eerie when he plays a straight-laced man with a tendency towards bursts of extreme violence. Even though Ridley Scott is a great director, and this film was well directed, I felt American Gangster was not up to the same edge and standard of his previous films like Thelma & Louise, Alien, Black Hawk Down, or his other Crowe partnership Gladiator. It just felt like all the elements were in the film, but the film needed a greater depth, a stronger conversation perhaps on violence, drugs and society. One standout scene is when Lucas is at the family dinner for Thanksgiving coupled with scenes of drug addicts shooting up; which was a dynamic representation of Lucas' choices and personal perception of respectability. 

The last ten minutes of the film are the most interesting, exhilarating and easily explains why the story of Lucas and Roberts was worth committing to screen.