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AMERICAN GANGSTER
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AMERICAN GANGSTER
Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington
SYNOPSIS:
In 1970s America, a detective (Russell Crowe) works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country in the coffins of soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Based on a true story!
REVIEW:
This is not a Gangster movie. This is not a drug/cop movie. This is a film about business! How a man had a great plan to be at the top of his field. That field happens to be drug dealing which is illegal and a full of integrity detective figures out that he's the man to take down.
Ridley Scott is a fantastic director and he's on top form in this film. In this reviewers opinion, this is the best film of 2007 as of November 1st. No other film is even close to the caliber of American Gangster.
In its simpliest form what I look for in a movie is entertainment and a smart story that has something to say about our world. American Gangster is very entertaining, full of great characters doing things that most people like to observe but never want to be a part of.
Ridley Scott wants to answer the question of what is good in this capitalistic Americana world that we live in? This is a question that really can't be answered in this grey world but definitely is a fasinating subject to tackle and be entertained by. The two main characters in this film are flawed people but have a little good in them. Both of them are smart no question and it's the moral code that each live that separates the two.
What's great about this film is that there isn't a cheesy moment. You can look at Micheal Mann's 1995 film HEAT as that film too is about two parallel stories of two men on opposite sides of the law. Even last year's Oscar winner THE DEPARTED has the same story setup. Those films are decent but American Gangster is in a whole new category because it just feels real.
There's no 15 minute let's have a coffee scene between the two characters scene or a slow motion killing spree with classic rock in the background scene. I'm not saying that these types of scenes are not entertaining but they take you out of the story as you know you're watching a movie! This film I was totally lost for the entire 2+ hours and it was the first time in ages that my entire soul and brain was taken into a story.
I am a fan of business and how certain people succeed in this crazy world, so I am a tad biased. But I highly recommend this great film full of fantastic filmmaking not to mention two amazing actors at there usual best. Should do well during award season.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
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