Definite Oscar Contender

Rating: 8/10 (31 October 2007)

Based on true events, Director Sir Riddley Scott, producers Brian Grazer, Steven Zaillian and Oscar winning actors Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington manage to create a truly dramatic, powerful and compelling cop-based gangster movie.
"American Gangster" has already been compared to major gangster epics like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas" and is starting to be considered a new American classic.
The two leading actors clash like titans and deliver convincing and highly remarkable performances.
The screenplay is very sharp, entertaining and intelligent. It deals with corruption the way it should, not by making any exaggerated statement, but simply by beautifully telling the tale of Frank Lucas, who rose from the poor to become one of the biggest heroin dealers in America.
Scott does an excellent job at recreating New York in the early 70's, with the help of great design and costumes, as well as a flawless cinematography and film editing.
One of the best movies of the year so far. 8/10