A contemporary classic.

Rating: 9/10 (9 November 2007)

A bit of history between this film and myself. I remember reading about this project being killed in 2005. It sounded like a fantastic film, (a Harlem drug lord who smuggled uncut heroin into New York? sign me up) that was unfairly killed due to a too-high $90 million budget (which the film wound up costing). I vowed that if I ever became a film director, I would get this film made. Cue two years later, I'm watching Knocked Up, and I see a trailer for the film that I had no idea was rescued from development hell. I made a mental note of the date, and have been looking forward to it since the first trailer premiered. When I finally saw it, it was actually better than the trailer implied. All of the actors are fantastic with Denzel Washington's moral gangster and Russel Crowe playing one of the few uncorrupt cops in the NYPD (channeling a bit of Al Pacino's Frank Serpico in a bit in the process as well). Ridley Scott's direction is smooth and guided, and the dialogue is cool and natural. The film breaths with the atmosphere and style of the late '60s and early '70s. Overall, I give American Gangster a solid 10/10.
Films to view in addition to this: Serpico and The Godfather. The film seems to take inspiration from both films, both of which are magnificent as well and both star Al Pacino.