Rent American Gangster (2007)

Crime Drama Worth Rediscovering - American Gangster review by GI

Ridley Scott's epic gangster film is one of the best crime films since The Godfather (1972). It's a rise and fall story as well as a police procedural and loosely based on true events it's marked by two top performances from Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. It's really a simple story and oft told in crime cinema of a ruthless criminal and the dedicated detective who hunts him down. In Scott's hands it's a richly detailed and a visual delight recreating New York in the early 1970s, essentially a character study, interspersed with violence and an array of really interesting personalities and performances. Washington plays Frank Lucas a black criminal who rises through the ranks of the New York heroin trade by buying direct from South East Asia, using corrupt soldiers in Vietnam to ship it to the US and selling at a higher purity to push out his rivals including the mafia. His nemesis is Richie (Crowe), a detective who hates the endemic corruption in the police who, using good old fashioned street techniques, brings him down. Along the way he has to deal with his bent colleagues portrayed here by Josh Brolin. The cast is impeccable and includes Chitwel Ejiofor, John Hawkes, Idris Elba and Cuba Gooding Jr. This is a big story, superbly well told and whilst it plays fast and loose with the actual events it is a riveting crime drama of greed, corruption, racism and dedication and deserves to be in the ranks of the great gangster films of the last 25 years.

A masterpiece with stunning performances, locations & script - American Gangster review by TB

Before I start this review, there is one thing that must be said loudly and clearly: DO NOT WATCH THE THEATRICAL CUT. Watch the extended version. This nearly half an hour extra transforms the film from a fairly standard film to the 5 star masterpiece I love. Characters are far more fleshed out, extra time given to build the world that you will quite happily spend 3 hours of your life in and the final impact of the ending that much more profound.

The story of Frank Lucas and his rise to become the most successful & feared drug king pin in America was always going to be given the Hollywood treatment. But this was in no way a smooth road & there were a couple of false starts, with it looking like the film might never get made. That it became this, after all those issues, is a testament to the skill & brilliance of all involved.

When it comes to casting, there was only ever one person who could have played Lucas. This was the role Denzel was born to play and in one sense I'm quite glad that there was this delay to it being shot. I feel that Washington would have been a little too young before, but the maturity & wisdom he has now fits like a glove. Lucas is many things, but it is the smaller moments where some of the biggest impacts are felt. The purchase of his dream house for his family & the brutal confrontation with his mother, whilst at opposite ends of the spectrum emotion wise, are hammer blows for us to watch.

But crucially, Crowe's Ritchie Roberts is also an unbelievably strong and compelling character. The investigation that he is conducting, as well as the atmosphere that he is operating in (complete rejection from his colleagues, a failing personal life & the repeated threats to him from all quarters,) ensure this is no cardboard cut out. And Crowe is also someone who doesn't always command sympathy, which is a vital characteristic that the film doesn't shy away from. Whilst in no way are the two characters the two sides of the same coin morally, their drive and determination is the driving force of the story.

Also, and again why you need to watch the extended version, is that the supporting characters are well fleshed out. Cuba Gooding Jr is really good, his desperation to be accepted and build his own empire whilst facing up against his brother really providing tension. Common is also great, as is Chiwetel Ejiofor. The only slight negative is Josh Brolin. In a film of so many interesting characters, his slimy cop is disappointingly one note, given his usual power and range.

But the final and biggest praise has to be given to Ridley Scott. Without him, this movie would have been a pale shade of what is it. Scott is one of our greatest living filmmaker's and this ranks up with Alien and Gladiator for me.

Watch it and see the power this incredible cinema can be