Shocking yet great!

Rating: 10/10 (26 October 2007)

It's been a while since I saw a movie that good - at least in that column of genres. I want to let you know that all these rumors like "just another mediocre movie" are too subjectively driven.
The trailer was cut to together very professional, I grant, so you'll watch American Gangster having high expectations to it. So did I. Still, I have not been disappointed. My expectations have even been overshot. The atmosphere catches you beginning with the first minutes and keeps you in your seat tight until the end (for those who after around 150 minutes runtime still cant get enough, wait until the credits played through - you will be rewarded with a few extra frames). Historically, it is kept close to the happenings; just extended by some scenes / additional content for the big screen which is totally legitimate to me.
American Gangster gives you an insight view of the personal life of the gangster Frank Lucas, the way he dealt with his family and his relationship with Eva - Denzel, a real gentleman. During the movie he develops a very nice and human character which is yet to be unsettled big from time to time. Hence, the movie was done the right way. Actors fit perfectly to the person they embody: Denzel was simply great, Crowe, of course, too. I had some trouble accepting Crowe as a cop (after watching 3:10 to Juma recently), which however abated after a time. The way the setting of the 1970's was reproduced is incredible: Details everywhere - just mind-blowing. If there was the possibility to sense this movie more intense I wouldn't hesitate to do so. Additionally, I want to point at the sound: it was awesome! I am sort of a person only able to enjoy movies entirely when they are set to music on a high standard which is necessary to really develop a comprehensive atmosphere.
Since there is nothing left to say (from my end at least), I hope this comment was helpful to those who are not sure about which title to choose the next time going to the movies. If you feel addressed, I recommend to watch American Gangster which truly allows you to immerse into the 70's of Harlem.