Ridley Scott's rocking, intense crime epic

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2008)

American Gangster (2007)
Top 5 - 2007
Theatrical Cut - 150 minutes (R)
Extended Cut - 170 minutes (R)
This review applies to both the theatrical and extended cut.
American Gangster is a complete achievement by Ridley Scott, the director of Gladiator and Alien, a man whose career only seems to be flourishing year by year.
Not so much a gangster film as a classic 'cops vs criminals' story set amongst the poverty stricken drug fuelled streets of Harlem in the late 60s until the mid 70s, where Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), an African American man is involved in drug trafficking and distribution. Lucas maximises profits by importing directly from the source, cutting out the middleman - he imports pure heroin from South East Asia during the Vietnam War, stocking the narcotics in the coffins of dead US soldiers sent back to the country. In addition, most of Lucas' family is in the business, making it an all more 'family business', although Lucas is undoubtedly the boss.
On the other hand we have Richie Roberts a police officer, an honest cop (a bit like Frank Serpico), who is determined to clean New York from drugs by taking down the big guys. Roberts is played excellently by Academy Award Winner Russell Crowe, who has formed an almost holy bond with director Ridley Scott, almost like Scorsese with De Niro(but not yet as acclaimed).
Roberts is a good man, but we see him divorced, struggling to keep custody of his little son, living a modest life. On the other hand Lucas dresses in the finest suits, takes care of his mother and marries the most beautiful woman in the room. A sardonic contrast.
Scott provides with great angles, an upbeat storyline, with some rocking action; American Gangster is an accomplished achievement in many categories and is also very entertaining and often intelligent. No need to state that Washington and Crowe are brilliant as always.
Many critics have favoured American Gangster, but not praised it, claiming that we have seen it all before; all I can say is that I hope I get a film like American Gangster every year, so well made and I will have no problem.
American Gangster is a great film, one of the year's finest achievements and an honourable addition to Ridley Scott's glowing career.
9/10