This is to respond to those spoilers about Washinton's Lucas.

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2008)

Does it deserve a 10? Definitely! Before I talk more about the performances and the views the director wanted to show us, I'd like to talk about the cinematographic of American Gangster. The movie's multiple layers rely heavily on the visual differences of each characters' environment. For Frank Lucas, the shots are steady and make him look decent. While for Crowe the shots are always walking and moving. Even in the final confrontation, it just kept Lucas on the stairs of the church but Crowe looking upwardly to him. Despite the many critics about the movie being too far from the reality, it deserves an Oscar nomination just for the visual style.
Well, many people are talking about Washintion's Lucas is too decent-looking and better educated than he really is in reality. However in my perception, Washintion just deserve another Oscar nomination for this role because of following reasons. 1, Yes, he looks decent in the movie, but remember he just looks so in most times. The movie is so brilliant that Lucas alter between a decent gentleman and a street-gangster time to time, indicating the truth that he was mentored by another gangster on the street. And all his gentle movements and vanilla scent are just sugar and cream on a gun. 2, his interactions with his siblings and relatives are just realistic that, after all, Frank Lucas and his family came from street, not a university. Washinton's performance honestly expressed the confusion of Lucas as he would never realize the reason his business failed, until he was morally blamed by the good cop.
And, I'd like to mention the ending. It totally went out of my expectation. I was expecting Lucas to shoot himself just like other tragic drug-dealers. But I was wrong. The conclusion of the movie is very very socially responsible. The decision Crowe's role made as indicated by the subtitles is inspiring.
Excellent.