If you haven't yet heard about American Gangster, you're probably living under a rock (or maybe just in Hill). The film's hype and star power (not to mention Jay-Z's decision to make a concept album based on it) set expectations high. Fortunately, the film does not disappoint.
An intelligent drama, American Gangster tells the true story of the rise and fall of Frank Lucas (Washington), New York's biggest drug lord in the 1970s. The film constantly reminds the audience of real life problems that most Hollywood films gloss over, confronting the audience with images of racial tension, poverty, and police corruption.
The film is artful in its ability to weave questions of morality into an intriguing tale, and manages to fully immerse the audience despite its preachy undertones. This is largely due to the talent of the film's two stars. Washington and Crowe (as Detective Richie Roberts) portray characters that defy simple good guy/ bad guy molds, and their character development is the most interesting part of the tale.
The only downside is the film's length. American Gangster tries to squeeze in more meaning and story than any one film can handle, with the exhaustive length slightly damaging the film's message. About two hours into the film, one character notes that, "quitting while you're ahead isn't the same as quitting." If only Scott had taken the same advice.
