Review of American Gangster (2007) by Paul M — 16 Dec 2011

Ridley Scott's gritty, hard-hitting fact based crime drama about a black entrepreneur named Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington in a powerful charismatic performance who was the apprentice to Harlem crime boss Bumpy Johnson, nicely played here by Clarence Williams III in an uncredited turn, when Johnson suddenly dies, Lucas exploits the opening and takes over and builds his own empire, Lucas's street smarts, ingenuity and business ethics help him rule the drug underworld in Harlem and makes him the biggest importer of heroin in New York City, Lucas buys his high quality heroin in South East Asia, his method of smuggling is hiding the heroin in the metal coffins of U.

S. soldiers killed in combat in Vietnam. A hard-nosed undercover cop named Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe in spectacular tour-de-force performance notices the careful, low-key Lucas, and sets a investigation on him in motion, it then becomes a cat and mouse game between the two men who both have a rigorous ethical code that set them apart from their own colleagues, now the will try to out smart each other, as their final confrontation draws near, Washington & Crowe are pure dynamite and their acting and interplay is absolutely brilliant .

Meticulously directed by Ridley Scott, with flawless period recreation of the New York City of the late 60's & early 70s, the fabulous supporting cast all deliver inspired performances they included Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr.

, Josh Brolin, Ted Levine, Armand Assante, John Ortiz and Joe Morton, special kudos must go to 87-year-old Rudy Dee for her moving Oscar nominated turn as Lucas's down to earth mother, breathtaking cinematographer by Harris Savides with a impressive screenplay by Steven Zaillian & Mark Jacobson.

An fascinating and intelligent motion picture. Highly Recommended.