A little over hyped and over rated but some impressive developments from a strong script

Rating: 6/10 (26 November 2007)

When American Gangster released they made it seem like this was this years "The Departed" and it featured a strong and talented cast and director and the 'based on a true story' premise. So I did eagerly want to see it and I won't say I was disappointed, I only say that I thought they jumped the gun with all the praise because with some minor stand out moments and performances American Gangster was pretty all around average. The story dragged and was brutally long and despite reviewers and critics saying that it flew by, for me it felt long and too long at that. While the film was an interesting look at two men on two different sides of the law, both outcasts within their own people it just doesn't really appeal to people that might expect something like The Godfather, or other mafia type epics. The film definitely tries to be and feel epic but I don't think it hits the mark. Director Ridley Scott is probably one of the most versatile directors in Hollywood. I don't think you can ever know what to expect from the guy. He can do Sci-Fi, drama, Action, historical Epic and you just don't know how he's going to do it. I think he really set out to make this about the characters and I suppose from that perspective he was very successful.
Denzel Washington used to be one of my favorite actors. Gradually I saw his ego over take his talent and you could barely watch his films without seeing his enormous ego screaming "I am Denzel." So I was very pleased to discover a really stirring and moving performance (perhaps Oscar nominated?) by him as underground Drug Kingpin Frank Lucas. Maybe his ego just fits well with Lucas but regardless Washington is cold blooded and ruthless and powerful and yet somehow a sympathetic character. Definitely his best role in years. Opposite him is the amazing Russell Crowe as ethically strong Det. Richie Roberts. Roberts is ethical to a fault and is looked down on by some of his fellow officers but essentially makes him the prime candidate to go after what is fast becoming the largest mob drug lord in the city. Washington and Crowe don't share a lot of screen time and yet have good chemistry playing off of each other. Their characters independently hold the film together and make it interesting enough because they are so different and yet in some ways face the same problems in their respective lives. I'd like to point out other cast members but essentially it's all about Crowe and Washington and no one else really gets to stand out or is given anything to really work with. All the eggs are in two baskets in this case and that might be part of the fault of the film.
The film has it's moments of sheer brutality which are literally jaw dropping and it also has some really intense and smart moments but then it's gummed up by all this middle stuff that just seems to make it drag for it's 2 hour 40 minute running time. Despite being set in the sixties and seventies nothing really sets the time period out with the exception of some clothing and such but I thought the focus on a 'black' gangster who basically takes over the drug running business from The Italians in this time period would be more of a focus. Regardless of how you look at the film it's a stunning example of the talent of Washington and Crowe but unfortunately doesn't go much further than that. Some will enjoy it and others will agree with me that it fits some of the bill but it's just far too long. 6.5/10