It's not about Russel Crowe nor Denzel Washington, it's all about Ridley Scott

Rating: 8/10 (29 October 2007)

In my opinion I think American Gangster is one of Ridley Scott's finest works if not the best, well, some thing very bad already happened to this movie though, it is Martin Scorsese's The Departed winning last year best picture and best director in particular on the same kind of work.
I think Ridley Scott has already booked a spot in the best director contest, he can control the camera like no other, you can get every teeny tiny detail from what your are watching thanks only to him, he managed to get some details about a very critical period of the American history using a very descent manner focusing on drugs and society, I gotta say I never heard of Frank Lucas before but as you are watching you can get that feeling of knowing him for a long time. And by the way the film editing was great too.
The acting was fantastic, Denzel Washington is really a bad ass guy, but deep inside he is a good hearted family man, showing that when dealing with his wife, his brothers and his mother, he was really great, however Russel Crowe was controlled by the role he played, this role is a recipe for a great supporting role; being a confused cop who can't focus on his job because of his family; but I don't think Russel Crowe was prepared enough for supporting roles, nonetheless he did a very fine job.
Saying that I don't think the actors performances will get Oscar nominations, instead I think two persons in particular could get nominations:
Steven Zaillian: for his sharp and smart script. And of course Ridley Scott for this great achievement.
Although the drug matter has become a usual subject lately but Ridley Scott can always come up with something new about every movie he direct.
10/10