American Gangster

American Gangster, directed by the veteran Englishman Ridley Scott and boasting a powerhouse headline cast of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, delivers far more punch than one may expect from the Ronseal-esque explanation of its title. The hypnotic and seductively charismatic Washington portrays real-life criminal overlord Frank Lucas, who smuggled huge quantities of heroin into Harlem via the coffins of soldiers whose lives had been cut short in the Vietnam war, and subsequently built a hugely successful criminal empire. His direct counterpoint is Russell Crowe’s Richie Roberts - a rumpled but determined cop who finds purpose in his dual mission to thwart Lucas and root out the corruption of the police force.

Whilst the film brings little new to the generic gangster table, and the overall effect falls short of the resonance and grandeur achieved by previous classics in a similar vein such as Coppola’s The Godfather and Lumet’s Serpico, American Gangster remains an entertaining, well-acted (especially in the case of Washington), fluidly-paced and expertly directed thriller which will compel the cineastes and Sunday night crowds alike. Interested individuals may also appreciate the fine, period-Soul soundtrack and the (admittedly slight) insight that the film offers into late-1960s racial politics. Oh, and Cuba Gooding Jr., popping up in a flashy cameo largely to prove that he is still alive!

Released 16th November 2007 by Universal Pictures.

Written by Ashley Clark.