2008 Woodie Awards
American Gangster (movie review)
Sean Flack
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: A&E
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Is "American Gangster" the next great American crime drama? Nah, but it sure does come close.
"American Gangster" is a biopic about Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a man who rose to be a successful heroin drug lord and one of the most powerful men walking the streets of NYC at the time. The movie chronicles his rise to power by showing how he eliminated the middleman, got the heroin from Vietnam himself and sold it for half the price.
Don't think this movie is just about Lucas, though. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a detective trying to bring Lucas down, is also a main player in the story. As Lucas' power continues to rise, Roberts desperately tries to catch him and bring down his empire.
The acting in "American Gangster" is absolutely superb. Washington and Crowe are two of Hollywood's big guns and it shows in this movie. They bring excitement and a macho presence to every scene they are in. One of the scenes where they both are staring each other down is intense and will take your breath away. Props must also be given to Josh Brolin, who plays Detective Trupo. Brolin plays the greasy, slimy and an all-around crooked cop to a T.
Despite the great acting and story, "American Gangster" drags on at times. Don't go in expecting a big, grand symphony of violence and gore. The action is far and few between but if you get through the first two hours, the last 45 minutes totally makes up for it.
"American Gangster" is a biopic about Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a man who rose to be a successful heroin drug lord and one of the most powerful men walking the streets of NYC at the time. The movie chronicles his rise to power by showing how he eliminated the middleman, got the heroin from Vietnam himself and sold it for half the price.
Don't think this movie is just about Lucas, though. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a detective trying to bring Lucas down, is also a main player in the story. As Lucas' power continues to rise, Roberts desperately tries to catch him and bring down his empire.
The acting in "American Gangster" is absolutely superb. Washington and Crowe are two of Hollywood's big guns and it shows in this movie. They bring excitement and a macho presence to every scene they are in. One of the scenes where they both are staring each other down is intense and will take your breath away. Props must also be given to Josh Brolin, who plays Detective Trupo. Brolin plays the greasy, slimy and an all-around crooked cop to a T.
Despite the great acting and story, "American Gangster" drags on at times. Don't go in expecting a big, grand symphony of violence and gore. The action is far and few between but if you get through the first two hours, the last 45 minutes totally makes up for it.
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