You represent progress. A progress which will un-glue their world.

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2008)

"A successful black man like yourself? You represent progress. A progress which will un-glue their world." American Gangster is based on the true story of Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington), a black drug king who operated out of Harlem in t...(read more)he 1960s and 1970s and Detective Richie Roberts (played by Russell Crowe) who brings him down.
This film is long. Two hours and forty minutes long. But other than being distracted by people walking past in the cinema to go to the bathroom after drinking their upsized soft drink in the cinema half-way through, this wasn't an issue. The script is solid, the characters very well-played out and the direction by Ridley Scott is excellent.
Washington's portrayal of Lucas was excellent. His character flipping between loving family man, then violent drug importer was handled very well, and made me emotionally concerned for the other characters, not knowing when he might suddenly fly off the wall. It was a strong, believable portrayal. Crowe's characterisation of Roberts was also excellent - but my attention was drawn more toward Washington.
Small part appearances by Cuba Goding Jr (Boyz In The Hood, Jerry Macguire) and Carla Gugino (Sin City, Entourage) were also excellent choices, playing their roles as Nicky Barnes and Laurie Roberts respectively, very well.
I was also impressed with the cinematography by Harris Savides. While nothing extra-ordinary stood out, this was actually why I was impressed. The storyline of American Gangster does not need anything special, or overdone - and this was achieved. Being such a large film, I'm sure the temptation would have been there to experiment, but Savides didn't - resulting in a fantastic cinematic result.
Co-Written by Steve Zaillian, he was the perfect writer for the job, having had already been proved with realistic, historical and 'intense' films such as Clear and Present Danger and Schindler's List, the dialogue, characters and historical scene settings are fantastic.
If detailed story lines and long, sometimes a little slow, films are not your thing, then you probably won't be a big fan of American Gangster. But if you enjoy historically-based, cop and crime stories, then American Gangster will be right up your alley.