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film: American Gangster
director: Ridley Scott
cast: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe
Universal Pictures / 2007
score: 87
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by Kaare Kvenild
American Gangster tells the story of the rise and fall of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a Harlem gangster who became the most powerful crime lord in New York. Lucas rises to prominence in the mob community by becoming the premier importer of heroin to the United States. American Gangster also tells the story of Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), the cop who organized the investigation that brought Lucas down. Roberts is assigned to the case because he is one of the few honest cops in New York. To top it off, this true story is one of the best movies of the year.
2007 seems to be the year of great dueling performances. There was Crowe's standoff with Christian Bale in 3:10 to Yuma, Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and American Gangster joins the list with Washington and Crowe. Both actors give award worthy performances. The supporting cast also gives great performances led by 2007's breakthrough actor, Josh Brolin, as a crooked cop. Also by 83-year old Ruby Dee as Washington's mother. Of all the performers in the film, it is Dee's performance that will garner the most attention. She has the least amount of screen time, but steals all her scenes and gives the most passionate speech of the film. Dee's performance has to be seen.
American Gangster is an incredibly well made film from every aspect. Director Ridley Scott continues to make some of the most memorable pictures around. This is his best movie since Black Hawk Down in 2001. Scott's direction is crisp and focused the entire time. The script by award winning writer Steven Zallian is sure to receive award nominations. Zallian's last big gangster movie was 2005's Gangs of New York, and he outdoes himself with this script. American Gangster is not to be missed by not only fans of mob movies and true crime stories, but also for fans of fine filmmaking.
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