Was that Clarence Williams III?

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2007)

He is not credited anywhere but he is in the pivotal first scenes of the movie & is he referenced several times as the King of Harlem who mentored Denzel's character. The actor is no where mentioned in the credits. Is his character based on a real person like Denzel's? Denzel by the way is great & certainly deserving of a third Oscar for his mantle. Russell Crowe is also good but as in his last two movies "Yuma" & "Good Year" he seems to have given up acting almost entirely and appears to be playing some facet of himself. Everyone knows he's a great actor but he doesn't seem to be picking roles that really challenge him. Take Armand Assante for example - in this movie he takes a role (Mafia kingpin) and gives it a new twist. Knowing he can never compete with Brando's take he still manages to put a new spin on a tired old part. Cuba Gooding is wasted in his part but in the few scenes he does have he lets off a few sparks. And what about Ruby Dee? Should she be nominated just because of the body of her work? American Gangster is sure to get plenty of Academy nomination. The costumes for sure & Jay Z's soundtrack is outstanding. The photography especially for all the Harlem scenes are first rate.