American Gangster (2007) - watch it!
December 30th 2008 13:10
It's not surprising that Ridley Scott has made another great film. With a showreel featuring Blade Runner (1982), Thelma and Louise (1991) and Gladiator (2000), American Gangster (2007) is just another notch in his celluloid black belt.
It tells the true story of 1970s Heroin Kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) - who, after the death of his mafia boss decides to take over Harlem, by cutting out the middle man in the drug trade. The protagonist's tale is told in tandem and -to its merit- without a hint sentimentality. Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts - the man who wants to bring Lucas down. In a juxtopositional twist of human nature - Roberts is a man struggling in his personal life (keeping custody of his child, adultery) whilst keeping on the right side of the law at all times, while Lucas gives turkeys to the poor on Thanksgiving and then shoots men that wrong him at point blank range.
What works so well in this picture, despite its stellar performances by Crowe and Washington is its supporting cast - Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr, Ted Levine and Ruby Dee (nominated for an Oscar) who provide the backbone of a compelling story.
Oscar attention also went to the films art direction and not surprisingly. Scott re-creates a surreal and very watchable late 1960s - 70s Manhattan and New Jersey - he spares no expense and the result is a truly satisfying cinematic experience.
While most "gangster" flicks are gratuitously violent, American Gangster keeps its head held firmly high and is entirely watchable without "grossing out" its audience. On the flip-side, the plot is predictable and somewhat slow paced.
But at 157 minutes screen time, you wonder just how Scott can sustain his viewers’ interest without waning. The real test? allowing your characters and story to unfurl organically whilst maintaining momentum. This is a filmmaker’s greatest tool and one that Scott has down pat.
The films strongest scene is the two hander between Crowe and Washington at the conclusion - a scene Scott admitted to dreading, but put down its success to having two great actors, well yes, that certainly helps.
I had held off seeing this film after being turned off by its appalling trailer, which looked cheesy and hard-arsed. All wrong - American Gangster is a must see!
It tells the true story of 1970s Heroin Kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) - who, after the death of his mafia boss decides to take over Harlem, by cutting out the middle man in the drug trade. The protagonist's tale is told in tandem and -to its merit- without a hint sentimentality. Russell Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts - the man who wants to bring Lucas down. In a juxtopositional twist of human nature - Roberts is a man struggling in his personal life (keeping custody of his child, adultery) whilst keeping on the right side of the law at all times, while Lucas gives turkeys to the poor on Thanksgiving and then shoots men that wrong him at point blank range.
What works so well in this picture, despite its stellar performances by Crowe and Washington is its supporting cast - Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr, Ted Levine and Ruby Dee (nominated for an Oscar) who provide the backbone of a compelling story.
Oscar attention also went to the films art direction and not surprisingly. Scott re-creates a surreal and very watchable late 1960s - 70s Manhattan and New Jersey - he spares no expense and the result is a truly satisfying cinematic experience.
But at 157 minutes screen time, you wonder just how Scott can sustain his viewers’ interest without waning. The real test? allowing your characters and story to unfurl organically whilst maintaining momentum. This is a filmmaker’s greatest tool and one that Scott has down pat.
The films strongest scene is the two hander between Crowe and Washington at the conclusion - a scene Scott admitted to dreading, but put down its success to having two great actors, well yes, that certainly helps.
I had held off seeing this film after being turned off by its appalling trailer, which looked cheesy and hard-arsed. All wrong - American Gangster is a must see!
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
I like it when critics agree with me! *L*
Comment by Raquelle
Raquelle
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
i found this film painfully dull...felt like I was watching a film I had already seen 20 times before. Predictable and lacking in any real storytelling flair or new perspective.
Probably doesn't help I'm not a fan of Crowe or Washington, even though both did the most they could with rather shallow roles. I do however love a lot of Ridley's work and that is the films only strength, its visuals and use of sound. Cool soundtrack too.