Following the death of his father and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan.
The Truth : Frank Lucas is a ruthless, motivated gangster and a threat to the maffia and the corrupt NYC police department. Lucas discovers the source for 100% pure heroin and establishes a relationship with him, while in Vietnam.
His product 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, but brings its own set of problems.
It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. Roberts takes on the most powerful man in Harlem and the NYPD.
The Action : With a title like American Gangster, you’d expect a great deal of action. In reality, the movie is based on fictional events and isn’t considered an action film.
Favorite Scenes : It hit home when Frank Lucas welcomed his entire family into a new home, a mansion he purchased for them. We’d all do the same in his shoes, wouldn’t we?
The Verdict : An enjoyable and lengthy drama that faulters from time to time. I felt a few characters were introduced for no real reason, and could care less about the time the movie allocated to the child custody hearings. Keeping in mind it is based on a true story, I couldn’t help but wonder if they couldn’t have kept the film more focused on Lucas, than the ever-so-dull Richie Roberts.
An enjoyable film that you’ll have to allocate 2.5 hours of your evening to.
Tags: Crime 2007, Denzel Washington, Drama 2007, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, Thriller 2007
American Gangster
Ridley Scott delivers yet again
Cast: Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington
The American Mafia was largely controlled by a string of brutal Sicilian families. Rival mob organizations targeted one another in bloody confrontations. Harlem was no exception. New York’s largest black ghetto – a happy hunting ground for drug pushers – was to face its toughest challenge yet.
When a much-loved icon and drug dealer passes away, the reins of his empire are picked up by his impressionable protégé – Frank Lucas (Washington). But Frank has bigger designs for himself. A self-styled entrepreneur, suave and sophisticated, Frank wants to cut out the middlemen and be his own man.
During America’s most-stained period in history – the Vietnam War – Frank seizes the opportunity to acquire huge quantities of A-grade heroin. On the other side is the vulnerable hero Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) who is determined to bring him down. It’s an empire valued at over $250 million dollars in assets alone with three-quarters of the narcotics unit up to involved with drug money.
The story twists and turns for almost three hours towards its conclusion. Denzel is in fine form alongside a more sedate Russell Crowe. The film scores mad points in riveting entertainment value.
The lesson of the film is simple: “Quitting while you’re ahead is not the same as quitting.”
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