American Gangster Film Review

American Gangster, a cop and crime thriller, takes place from the late 60s to the early 70s. Evoking the cop thrillers at the time which had cornered cinema, like Sidney Lumet’s Serpico or William Friedkin’s Oscar-winning The French Connection. Those films detail the undercurrent themes between the side of the law and the side of the criminal underworld. How reactionary either side can be when obtaining their ultimate goals of beating each other. The story of American Gangster takes place in Harlem where gangster Bumpy Johnson, passes way. Leaving his protege, Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington to take control of Harlem once again.

Attempting to make a name for himself, he successfully sets up a system where he imports pure uncut heroin, from top producers in Vietnam, through secret military contacts. Lucas soon becomes the celebrity and crime kingpin of Harlem City. Meanwhile, maverick cop Richie Roberts played by Russell Crowe is facing a divorce and a potential separation from his child.

To make things worse, trust becomes an issue for his partners and superiors for booking in unmarked cash that was found in the boot of a car. Dealing with the loss of his corrupt partner, Roberts is assigned to lead up a drug case that potentially leads back to Frank Lucas himself. What develops is a cat and mouse game of Roberts and crew taking down the charismatic but dangerous Frank Lucas. While also uncovering a field of corruption and power that could potentially endanger them and their careers in the process.

This is probably Ridley Scott’s most entertaining film to watch for some time; from the casting; to the locations; to the thrills; to the pacing and the brilliantly written structure of both characters on either side of the fence. Denzel Washington is well cast here. Ranging from suave, smug and threatening in all the same features, which brilliantly contrasts with Crowe who is frustrating and even tough to deal with as a character.

 We know that Frank has effectively built his empire and took care of his family. So, while famous, he has to fight to keep himself at the top while Roberts has to fight to earn respect and become the decorated cop he wants to be by taking him down. As it is, it makes for an exciting narrative, made effective through the script of Steven Zaillian.

The film is shot in the style of those movies as mentioned earlier. Drab and dark lighting with an old-fashioned aesthetic that makes the film raw and gives the film an edge to be aligned with those classic cop thrillers. The film is roughly two and a half hours long, but it does move at such a brisk pace. Which makes use of every minute on screen.

While Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe don’t share as much screen time together, there is plenty of stand out performances in the background that are memorable. Such as, Idris Elba’s gangster rival character and Josh Brolin’s shady detective character that significantly make up the reigns of the plot. The film is nothing less than thrilling and tense. There are high stakes to be had here. While the film follows a predictable path, there’s a great sense of the period in time, that you become invested almost immediately.

On top of that, with a cast that is committed to the storylines on-screen. Uniquely, Washington and Crowe who do battle with each without any confrontation whatsoever, this makes for a very engaging; smooth; stylish and rough around the edges thriller. That effectively creates a stark portrayal of the rise and fall of power and corruption on screen. Miles ahead of what Ridley Scott has made around that period, this is a compelling thriller in the best sense of the word.

4 and a half/ 5