flawed but well-made and entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (5 November 2007)

Riveting crime biopic of Frank Lucas-a former enforcer of the late and legendary Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson-who built a lucrative heroin smuggling empire, rose above the mob, and became the most dangerous man in Harlem in the late 1960s, but he doesn't reckon with Richie Roberts: a dedicated cop and boy scout determined to bring him down no matter what the cost. Ridley Scott's ambitious cops and robbers saga is overlong and not as compelling or informative as it could be, but well-cast and consistently interesting, with an impressive look at the past era that effectively captures the atmosphere of tension, violence, and brutality of Lucas' extravagant life. Washington, as expected, is a force to be reckoned with as the fiery Lucas, matched by Crowe as the steadfast Roberts, surrounded by an excellent supporting cast. ***