AMERICAN GANGSTER

(November 2007, U.S.)

The tale of AMERICAN GANGSTER is not exactly new to the screen. It's part SERPICO (1973), part NEW JACK CITY (1991) and a lot of THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971). It is, however, based on the true story of Harlem drug gangster Frank Lucas. There are three other reasons to enjoy this film - their names are Denzel, Russell and Ridley.

Over the last ten years, the team of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe has become synonomous with the likes of Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro. The results have usually been pretty positive. The image of New York City in this film is perhaps the grittiest and most intense I've seen since THE FRENCH CONNECTION; one is literally transported back to the early 1970's.

There is a particular sequence I find quite intruiging - Frank Lucas has persistently made it a point to keep a low profile and live his life quietly and unobtrusively. This includes not wearing anything too loud or flashy to call attention to himself. Then one night, just to please his wife, he attends the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier championship fight wearing a horribly gaudy chinchilla fur coat and hat, along with a ringside seat to the fight that surpasses his rival Italian mafia's seats. By chance, Crowes character, Detective Richie Roberts happens to be at the fight, too - with a camera, I might add. This is all it takes to start the investigation against Lucas and bring down his entire organization. Just goes to show you what one little slip up can inevitably lead to (anyone remember Watergate?).

Favorite line or dialogue:

Detective Trupo: "What are we gonna do about THIS?"
Frank Lucas: "We ain't gon' do shit about it. Close it up. Throw it back in the trunk. Everybody go home. Have some pumpkin pie, warm apple cider..."
Trupo: "I got a better idea, or would you rather me throw you and your brother in the fuckin' river?"
Lucas: "Or would you rather your house blows up next time?"