Rating of
4/4
American Gangster review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 12/17/12
"You can be successful and have enemies or you can be unsuccessful and have friends." - mafia boss Dominic Cattano (Armand Assante). There are times when Awards bodies don't give sufficient recognition to powerful, well crafted and lifelike films. This picture unfortunately falls under that presumption. having a copy of the alternate ending makes you appreciate the different ideas for the ending (and which is more effective). A real story focused on Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a right-hand man of mob boss Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson (Clarence Williams III). Honest Newark detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is hated by his colleagues and vows to get rid of police corruption. Nicky Barnes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is a criminal who has dreams while Nick Trupo (Josh Brolin) have interior motives.
A flawless cast with solid and sincere acting, notably from Washington. Soundtrack, cinematography, wardrobe, pace and direction just wonderful and realistic. Screenplay just entertaining with lines from Frank - "Listen to me, the loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room." "The most important thing in business is honesty, integrity, hard-work, family..never forgetting where we came from." and Richie - "Judges, lawyers, cops, politicians. They stop bringing dope into this country, about a hundred thousand people are gonna be out of a job." Combines elements of Blow, Donnie Brasco, Serpico, French Connection and Training Day, but with a better cast, dialogue, action and direction. American Gangster's themes (of police corruption, integrity, earning a living for the family, respecting women, and justice) are sufficient to view it. A silent crime classic that is unappreciated by many, but for true gangster/crime aficionado's, this is gold for the 20th century clearly in the upper echelon of its genre because of its entertainment value/star quality and electrifying direction.
