Return to Form for Scott

Rating: 9/10 (8 February 2008)

Ridley Scott has been a little off form recently. "Kingdom of Heaven" was a disappointment and "A Good Year" was very poorly received. He does remain one of the most prolific filmmakers working today and all you need do is look at his back catalogue and know there is faith that he can pull many more great films out of the hat. "American Gangster" rewards this faith.
For the most part, this is a very fine thriller. It's gripping, quick and, despite a long running time, never dull. It features two actors at the top of their game. Denzel Washington's performance is electric and Russell Crowe is brilliant. A fine supporting cast, especially Josh Brolin, fill out the rest of the film with aplomb and they all exist in a wholly convincing world that Scott creates. All in all then, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining film. However, the film is lifted higher by a thoroughly interesting social commentary that plays out in the background.
Washington's Frank Lucas is a fine cinematic character. He is a family man, a devoted husband and a mass murderer and a drug lord. Crowe's Richie Roberts is a good man, but a flawed man, whose integrity casts him out of the corrupt police department. Here, a murderer and mass criminal climbs to a privileged and wealthy place in society, mainly due to the ignorance and prejudice of that society, whilst a good man and dedicated public servant lives out a fairly squalid experience.
Scott's critique of the most successful capitalist culture is directed with vigour. The feel is frenetic and the look is superb. The sixties and seventies are evoked perfectly and the audience is utterly gripped. But the social comment, told with the aid of interesting and intelligent editing, shines through. Ultimately, a lot of this is due to the central performances. The scene where the two finally meet is brilliant and you simply cannot tear your eyes away from it.
This film has lasting appeal. It's entertaining and intelligent. The two sides, the thriller and the commentary, sit well with each other, though the latter is lost occasionally, and this film is anything but dull but the real joy is seeing a film made by two actors and a director pretty much at the peak of their careers. It has the makings of a classic and, just as Scott is entering into a busy period, this can only be seen as more reason for faith in his ability.