American Gangster

Ridley Scott's stylish visual recreation of the latethe protection of the Mafia, and deliberate
1960's early 1970's Harlem almost threatens tomeasures taken to preserve a low profile, Lucas's
overshadow the story of American Gangster.rise to success is swift and profitable, netting
Based on true events, the unbelievable storyover a million dollars a day at the peak of his
parallels the rise to success of Harlem Heroincareer.
Kingpin, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), and theDetective Ritchie Richards shares Lucas's
man who eventually brings him down, New Yorkparadoxical ethics. With little regard for any
Detective, Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe). Bothresponsibility where his wife and child are
actors in stunning performances slide into theirconcerned, Richards is as steadfast as the Harlem
characters skin with convincing ease. The Vietnamgangster in his idealistic views of what is right and
War and widespread NY police corruption are sowrong. Ridiculed and shunned by his corrupt peers
important to the story that, by circumstance, areafter discovering, and turning in a million dollars
like living breathing characters in the film.found in the trunk of a car while working a case,
The violent Frank Lucas carries out his businessRichards's remains steadfast in his convictions. The
of violence with calculated chilling calm. He is aspursuit and eventual take down of the heroin
ruthless with his enemies, as he is loving with hiskingpin is brilliant, calculated and violent. Richards
family. He sees no paradox within himself; he iscarries out the business of bringing the kingpin to
confident and views himself to be as ethical ashis knees much like Frank Lucas himself would.
they come. His rise to success begins after theIn my favorite scene from the film, both
death of his mentor, and a brilliant business plan.characters sit for a conversation, where a deal is
Armed with the knowledge of the rising drug usemade. Lucas turns informant when Richards points
among American soldiers fighting in the war,out that he no longer has the support of the
Lucas travels to Vietnam. Setting up his own drugMafia. The Mafia is no better prepared than
connection, therefore, allowing him to cut out thesociety is to accept the progression that would
middleman. Taking his exploitation of the war onefollow should Lucas be allowed to remain in a
step further, he manages to have large quantitiesposition of power and wealth. Denzel Washington's
of pure grade heroin transported into the countryperformance here is brilliant. A brief visible faltering
by means of caskets carrying the bodies of deadof his characters confidence as he recognizes this
soldiers - aboard American service planes. Underpowerful truth.