Denzel rules, OK!

Rating: 8/10 (12 April 2008)

Justified Oscar buzz in this gripping and powerful study of the true life rise and fall of one of driving forces of the 70s drug scene in New York.
In a cat and mouse chase that evokes memories of Pacino and de Niro's epic pas de deux in "Heat", both Washington and Crowe deliver performances well worthy of their top billing status in this movie.
Washington, especially, shines in his performance as Frank Lucas, deliciously poking in the eye this reviewers characterisation of him as type-cast in the role of "not-too-bright black man who eventually figures it out". As he did in "Training Day" he stuns us with a turn as "exceedingly bright black man who is in total control of everything, and actually already has it all figured out".
It's a testament to the strength of this picture that it's long running time just flies by, as you get lost in a fascinating story, very well told.