Everyone was on vacation here

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2007)

Just a quick note: I was loaned my first (and last) pirated copy of a film  THIS film. Why would ANYONE who loves films a) want to ever again see a poorly digitized, poorly formatted version of an Art form they claim to love and respect, and b) want to rip off the people who create what you claim you want to see? Okay, with THAT said, Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Ruby Lee, and Armand Assante lead this true 1970's story of police corruption and the escalation of drugs in New York. Think "Serpico" mixed with "The French Connection" mixed with "Superfly". Seriously. I was a little disappointed in Washington, who, more than anything, simply did his "Denzel" routine in a different outfit. He smeared too much of his patented "proud black man deserving respect" routine over what was, let's face it, a sleazy drug dealer and serial killer. (See "Glory" or "Malcolm X" if that's what you want, see "Training Day" if you want to see him stretch beyond his habits.) He was poorly cast in "American Gangster", and did not have the push to reach beyond what he can do in his sleep. As I think about it, Crowe - and just about everyone - was cast and then given a pass to do what they've done before and before and seemed satisfied with that. The story, even with it having a basis of fact to it, was not unique within the genre. Yes, it was good suspense drama, with strong dosages of violence, nudity, drug use, etc., and for some, on some evening, this will be enough. One viewing is enough for me. Even Ridley Scott, who directed it, seemed on vacation. The set and costume designers seemed to have worked the hardest of anyone.