Review of American Gangster (2007) by Ryan L — 18 Nov 2013

American Gangster is very reminiscent of the 1971 Best Picture Academy Award winning crime thriller The French Connection, making use of the same intensity, important characters and even a dramatic car chase sequence.

Director Ridley Scott delivers some of his down-to-earth finest work as a director in American Gangster, mainly because of how he handles the story and his delivery of a strong narrative structure.The story is balanced well in American Gangster because of how it simultaneously explores the lives of Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts so equally and so well that the viewer simultaneously gets sucked into the story lines and forgets about the other one due to the gripping storytelling of the one appearing before their eyes. Not just that, but he ensures that the script is strong and even documents general developments of the 1970's such as the discovery of the microwave and the development of the Vietnam war. And he ensures that the atmosphere is beneficial and intense, as well as the fact that the feel really fits the 1970's context of the story. He adds to this through a strong visual style which mixes accurate costume and production design with mood-setting cinematography and a sense of nostalgia or even a sense of education to those who weren't around for the 1970's. Even the soundtrack has all the intensity and grooviness it needs to succeed in storytelling. Ridley Scott even ensured that the cinematography is atmospheric, and the editing constantly maintains an excellent speed which maintains the rural energy of the story without going overboard. Really, for the man that tackled Alien, Blade Runner, Legend and Gladiator, American Gangster is such an interesting choice for him to handle. But Ridley Scott not only tackles it with full force but also brings over the greatest actor to have ever worked with his brother Tony Scott to play the lead, and that man is Denzel Washington.

By this point I wouldn't even have to say that Denzel Washington have an excellent performance for audiences to know it, and recognising it is always the best part of his films. In American Gangster he exhibits his talented ability to bridge the gap between portraying an aggressive criminal and a legitimate businessman and play it into the minor element of Frank Lucas facial expression so that we have a strong understanding of him before his performance unfolds. And once it does it surely had the power to entertain and shock viewers, because it sure as hell did that to me. And goddamn it was awesome. Denzel Washington gives one of his greatest villainous performances in American Gangster, not reaching his peak of Training Day but surely coming extremely close. You never know what to think of Frank Lucas, but Denzel Washington's charismatic tenacity over him proves that he does.

Russell Crowe also manages to impress. Although at first his accent is obvious and not hidden within his character that well, as the story goes on any sense of that more-or-less dissolves as the story and his characterisation of Richie Roberts develops, and his stare gradually becomes stronger in the development of his character. He conveys a real sense that he knows what he's doing, and he makes a powerful presence and packs a powerful performance and shows how he can naturally create excellent chemistry with anyone if he want ls to.

Ruby Dee gives a strong performance because she has the real charisma of a mother figure which viewers manage to not only see her as, but connect to her a little in that manner as well. Even though she has very little screen time and not enough situations that prove her performance to deserve an Academy Award nomination, she does a good job.

Josh Brolin gives one of his best villainously performances by combining the skills of being the visual embodiment of a Tony Montana reminiscent criminal and giving a sense of intimidation to his character which makes for good chemistry with Denzel Washington.

Armande Assante also manages to hold the viewers to the level of the characters by projecting just how mean the situation of the story is to Russell Crowe and therefore to us as viewers. He has facial actions which imply the manner of serious business within the plot dynamics, and his line delivery is meaningful and powerful. American Gangster features Armande Assante's best performance in years, and one of his most notable as well.

Joe Polito is also excellent to have on board because he is a fine actor and has a strong reputation for Gangster films which proves beneficial to American Gangster, as well as his obvious talent as an actor who can give a strong line delivery.

Idris Elba displays his natural talent as an actor in American Gangster and shares a fine chemistry with Denzel Washington.

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s small role was also good, and he does a good job in a small time period.

Lastly, the final scene in American Gangster has the main characters match wits in a very powerful manner, and the chemistry they share is so excellent that it is forgotten that they are actors. It was instantly in this scene that I decided that yes, this is one of the single greatest films I have ever seen. It was an excellent climax to an excellent film. One which had excellent direction, a stunning ensemble cast and impeccable storytelling. The only thing it didn't have was enough Academy Award nominations to notify the filmmakers of their deserving efforts.