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