"Out at home, baby!"

Rating: 9/10 (15 October 2009)

Somehow the real life story of Frank Lucas blew right by me. I recall the Knapp Commission investigation of police corruption during the 1970's in New York City, but that had more to do with Frank Serpico and his story. This all happened around the same time the way it looks, and maybe the stories overlapped somehow, but I just don't know.
One of the main takeaways I have of this film is how easily and widespread it is for our public servants, read cops, to get involved with dirty money. I had such a naive outlook growing up, but after years of hearing about corruption in law enforcement, politics, the government, you name your venue, and nothing comes as a surprise anymore. It sometimes makes me wonder how long civil society can keep hanging on by a thread, but I guess you just have to go back to the well of human decency and good will.
As for "American Gangster", I found it to be a revealing look at how a poor kid from the South could rise up the ladder of organized crime and become a hero in his own back yard. However for one honest cop, where there's a will, there's a way. The intricacies involved in discovering the mastermind behind Blue Magic made for an intense and gripping story, as Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) exhibits a genius for undercover detective work while failing miserably as a husband and father. It's interesting to speculate how much longer it might have taken to investigate Frank Lucas if he hadn't worn that bodacious fur coat and hat to the Ali/Frazier fight. Uncharacteristically, we see Frank violate his own personal code and come to regret it.
In direct juxtaposition to Lucas' savage grip on his organization, I'm always fascinated how major crime bosses live by their own unyielding code of honor. For Frank, it's all about honesty, integrity, and hard work, but always within the parameters of his skewed world view. Which leads me to consider how a black crime kingpin rationalizes the damage he wreaks on his own people in the name of the almighty dollar. Why aren't Jesse Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton railing about that? It's just a confusing world out there.
As a crime film, this one is right up there with the best of them, both fictional and non-fictional. Based on a true story, this one brings added poignancy to the screen, knowing that the principals played out a real life drama in the seamy underbelly of New York's Harlem.