|
American Gangster 9 out of 10
Running time: 2:37 MPAA rating: R (Violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality.) Peruvian rating: Mayores de 18
Cast:
Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe,
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, RZA,
Ted Levine, Ruby Dee, Armand Assante, Carla Gugino. |
 |
Even though American Gangster is not on the same level as Ridley's Scott's best efforts (Alien, Gladiator or Blade Runner), the film as a whole is as compelling and interesting as one could expect from him; performances are great, direction is solid, and the screenplay has enough material for making a six-hour mini-series. Scott and his team make sure the audience never gets bored, though, and despite the fact that the filmmakers never really manage to provide enough balance between the two main characters, the movie is tense, interesting, and intense enough to maintain the viewer at the edge of their seats.
It's the 1970s, and soon-to-be-a-mob-boss Frank Lucas, (Denzel Washington) who has been the driver for mobster Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III) for years, is a witness to his death. He makes some use of it, though, and using his contacts and knowledge, starts to carve a name for himself in the Harlem drug market. To make his position as solid as possible, he takes a risk and travels to Bangkok to set up a direct deal with the drug producers, cutting out the middle men. To transport the drugs into the U.S., he uses the army, which is constantly ferrying men and equipment to Vietnam. Suddenly, Frank has the purest heroin on the streets of New York and he can sell it cheaper than any of his competitors. He even manages to make Mafioso Dominic Cattano (Armand Assante) work for him.
On the other hand, in New Jersey, drug cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) has become a joke in the force for turning in $1 million in unmarked drug money which was designated for cop payoffs. He's therefore transferred to a newly formed narcotics squad and gets to pick his own men. Their goal is to find and arrest the highest placed drug lord they can get evidence against, and they eventually get their eyes on Frank. But Richie has problems: his ex-wife (Carla Gugino) is suing him for custody of his son, he is not well respected by his peers, and his New York City equivalent, corrupt Detective Trupo (Josh Brolin), is on the take.
The movie is effective because Scott and his team manage to make the stories for both Lucas and Roberts equally interesting. Frank's story is interesting because of two reasons: the way his rise and daily life is treated, and Denzel Washington's performance. The audience manages to take a look at details behind the drug business, the way Lucas treats his business, his personal life and his family. Scott never lets his audience lose interest, and every time Frank appears onscreen, the picture comes to life. Obviously, this also has to do with Denzel Washington's performance, which is amazing. Yeah, we know he could act this kind of part in his sleep, but he nevertheless makes his character supremely interesting, giving an intense and powerful performance. Additionally, he doesn't let Lucas become a caricature, and even though the screenplay doesn't make him completely three-dimensional, Washington makes him charismatic, interesting, and sometimes even dangerous.
At the same time, Richie's side of the story is equally interesting and attention-grabbing. While Russell Crowe's performance is more muted and "softer" than Washington's, (who would think one could say something like that about an actor such as Crowe?) he also manages to make his character three-dimensional and developed. He's not just a plot device; even though he's almost-completely dedicated to researching drug lords, mafia bosses and - eventually - Frank Lucas, we're also given an insight to his life: he has divorced from his wife and is fighting for his son; he occasionally sleeps with easy women (including his attorney); he tries to be honest at work because he couldn't be honest with his family. Yes, Robert's side of the plot is dedicated to finding and grabbing Frank, but that doesn't mean it's boring. Crowe's performance is great, and it's interesting to see him work and try to catch Lucas.
Technically, the movie's pretty much what one should expect from such an accomplished director as Ridley Scott. The film looks great; photography is effective, and the filmmakers successfully transport the audience to the seventies. Also, even though the film's pretty long - more than two-and-a-half hours -, Scott and editor Pietro Scalia never let the audience get bored; the film's fast-paced and kinetic, but never to the point of making the viewer dizzy or confused.
American Gangster is a great movie, and gives an interesting and compelling insight into the life of one of the most notorious black gangsters of the seventies. The film's success mostly lies on the performances of both Crowe and - especially - Washington, and the way the character of Frank Lucas and his business are developed. Additionally, unlike other movies of its ilk, the characters in American Gangster are portrayed in shades of gray: yes, Lucas is what one could call a "bad guy", but he's also charismatic, and genuinely loves his family. Even though the film is not a masterpiece, (Lucas' side of the story is ultimately more interesting and powerful), it nevertheless manages to entertain the audience with its compelling characters, tense and powerful plot and situations and solid direction.
©2008 Sebastián Zavala - Star Wars Epica