Running Tim: 2
hr. 37 min.
Rating: R -
violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality
Cast: Denzel
Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Josh Brolin
Director:
Ridley Scott
Genre: Crime
Drama, Crime
Well let’s call
it, “a triple.”
The first time
Russell Crowe teamed with director Ridley Scott for Gladiator. It wasn’t just a
homerun it was a grand slam. The second time they teamed up, the two produced A
Good Year, which was, well, two called strikes and a swinging strike.
We’ll keep
American Gangster as a triple with Russell rounding third, but called back.
While not
perfect, American Gangster is extremely entertaining fare, with both Denzel
Washington and Russell Crowe in top form. Expect acting nominations for both of
them when award season hits.
AG tells the true
story of Frank Lucas, a former chauffeur for Bumpy Johnson (played by
uncredited Clarence Williams III) who rises to power after Bumpy dies early in
the first act. Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, a cop too honest for his own
good. Early on, when Richie and his partner find a bookie’s car filled with
unmarked bills, Richie alienates his fellow cops by turning all of the money
in.
AG follows the
two (who never appear on screen together until the very end) as they rise to
the top. Denzel is mesmerizing as Frank, in his mind a shrewd business and
family man, but to the rest of the world psychotic and successful. He will sit
down to family dinner one minute and blow your brains out on a Harlem corner
the next.
With success
comes jealousy – in the form of other African American mobsters (played by Cuba
Gooding Jr, who is trying to salvage his career here) and more importantly, the
Italian families. They don’t like Frank, but they realize they must do business
with him in order to survive - Frank’s heroin is better and cheaper than the
heroin they are selling.
Richie has to
deal with being ostracized as well – by his wife (played by the always hot
Carla Gugino, god she has great boobs) and the other policemen who don’t trust
Richie for turning in that money. But his honesty does lead to the Captain
promoting him to run a drug enforcement department that only deals with the big
arrests.
I had more fun
watching Washington, whose performance ranged from a subdued, to loving to over
the top gangsta! Watch the way he pours too much sugar into his coffee or how utters
the phrase, “my man.” I always felt Frank was a rattlesnake, ready to spring. I also liked how he played Frank with a
certain amount of arrogance – he’s a black man trying to make it in an Italian
man’s world.
I didn’t find
Russell Crowe as interesting. Don’t get me wrong I liked Richie. And I liked
how Crowe played him holier than thou only to have the truth revealed about
himself by his wife. Maybe it’s him trying to carry off a Jersey accent. I don’t
know.
The supporting
cast is unbelievably good. Ruby Dee, as Frank’s mother is quite good…especially
the speech she gives Frank near the end. She knows what Frank does but doesn’t
want to admit it. Josh Brolin is also top notch as a sleazy cop. I particularly
liked Chiwetel Ejiofor as Frank’s brother, Huey. He loves Frank. Frank loves
him. But that doesn’t stop him from being absolutely terrified of Frank. And
Armand Assante is also very good as a fellow mob boss.
So I
whole-heartedly recommend American Gangster. It’s not the best it could be, but
it’s darn close.
A triple!
FOUR BALL POINT PENS.