Far from being Scott's best work, it still however is a riveting crime picture.

Rating: 9/10 (30 April 2008)

This is the true story of 1970s Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas who submarined the Mafia gangs by importing his heroin uncut direct from Thailand, and thus able to corner the drug market with cheaper prices. On his trail is Richie Roberts, one of the few honest cops operating out of his corrupt department.
American Gangster may turn out to be one of the most divisive films in Ridley Scott's cannon, gone are the visual traits that are beloved by so many of his fans, and in comes straight forward story telling, heavy on plot and filmed as a near to a documentary style as Scott has ventured thus far in a mainstream picture. I have no doubt that cries of Scott merely dipping his toes in crime picture waters from the past will be used against him, and for sure there is nothing remotely new in the Steve Zaillian screenplay here to make anyone sit up and take notice. But I applaud Scott for making, what on the page looked to have been a run of the mill crime caper, into a riveting character study. Full of 70s fashions and police procedural gusto, American Gangster lifts itself above the average crime capers of yesteryear because it boasts two of the best actors working today in the lead roles.
Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts with much restraint, and it's thru this restraint that the character becomes more believable, Roberts has his issues for sure (notably of the romantic kind), but his unflinching deep rooted belief in honesty gives the character an earthy aura, and it's down to Crowe that the character succeeds on the screen. Taking the honours here, though, is Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, full of zest and charming menace, he infuses Lucas with credibility as both a caring family man and also a merciless crime lord. Great performances, both. American Gangster is a fine film on the screen, but on the page it looks to be lacking in bravery or any sort of invention, but it's nice to see Ridley Scott taking on yet another genre and at the very least making it a notch above many other directors best works in the epic crime caper pantheon. 9/10
Footnote: I have recently caught the extended cut which has a further 17 minutes added to the original theatrical release. Of most interest is the alternate ending that is nice as regards watching Crowe & Washington share more screen time, but in light of the big picture you can see why it was cut. Stick with the theatrical version is my honest opinion.