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American Gangster (2007),
Director: Ridley Scott, rated R for
language, violence, drug use, nudity
There are two sides to the American dream.
  Starring:
Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor,
Ruby Dee, Lymari Nadal, Armand Assante, Carla Gugino, Cuba
Gooding Jr., Ted Levine, Idris Elba, John Hawkes, John Ortiz,
Joe Morton, Common
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"They don't want this
to stop. It employs too many people. Cops, lawyers, judges,
probation officers, prison guards... The day dope stops coming
into this country, a hundred thousand people lose their jobs." -
Det. Richie Roberts
Why watch this? Base
on a true story, this gangster film grabs and holds on tightly.
Plot Summary:
Following the death of his mob boss, a clever and calculating
driver named Frank Lucas seizes control of the Harlem drug trade
by directly smuggling exceptionally pure heroin from Southeast
Asia. Meanwhile, an incorruptible and ostracized detective named
Richie Roberts attempts to dismantle the escalating narcotic
empire while battling widespread police corruption. These two
disciplined, opposing figures eventually cross paths in a
high-stakes investigation that forever alters the criminal
landscape of New York.
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Dad's Preview:
This compelling crime drama is epic in its scope. There
are two parallel narratives, building to a showdown, and
the pathway will be littered with bodies. Denzel pumps
Corleone-like energy into his portrayal of Frank
Lucas, a very powerful and ruthless drug lord. Crowe is
likewise compelling as a drug cop with opposing
principals. After he refuses to pocket a gym bag filled
with cash, his fellow officers and wife both regard him
with disdain - how could he pass up such a jackpot? As
the story barrels down the road, we wonder if there is
any way that this ends without one of our lead
characters meeting his demise. This film is right up
there with
Goodfellas (1990), and I don't mean maybe. |
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Imagine
Ent., Scott Free Prod., Relativity Media;
Universal Pictures |
