Great performances, predictable drama

Rating: 7/10 (21 January 2008)

Strong performances from Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington add some sheen to this film's flatness and predictability. The rise and fall of Washington's Harlem drug kingpin is fascinating to watch, but there is a reek of familiarity that leaves a sour taste. Scott, who is a good director, makes his visual most of the material and controls the deliberate pace, but he can't give the drama the extra bite it requires to be truly engaging. More stylistically akin to Lumet's "Prince of the City" than a "Scarface" or "Goodfellas", it is a character study, a look at corruption and the delicate nature of relationships forged in an amoral milieu. Crowe, who plays a stubbornly honest cop on Washington's trail, is low key and convincing; Washington, who also turns in a low key performance, is excellent. Good but not great.