How can a movie filled with graphic violence, Russell Crowe and Denzell Washington be boring? Don’t ask me, ask Ridley Scott. American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott, is advertised as the basically true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem Gangster during the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Lucas operated his trade like a proper MBA businessman, eliminating middle men, so he could offer a better product at a lower price. Unfortunately, his trade is heroin, and by eliminating the competition I mean shoots them in the head. Lucas is portrayed by Denzell Washington, while Russell Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, an honest cop in a town full of dishonesty.
Crowe and Washington are, as they generally always are, completely dynamic on screen, which is the saving grace of the movie. (As is the performance of Ruby Dee, who was justifiably nominated for best supporting actress for her role
Sadly, that brief description basically encapsulates the entire movie. Equally sadly, the movie takes two and a half hours to make their point. Let’s just say that by about 30 minutes into the movie, I’d switched to my laptop and was paying attention without half my brain to both the laptop and the tv, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything on the tv. (One thing that I really could have done without was the endless, and I do mean endless, shots of junkies shooting up. In full excruciating detail. Thanks, Ridley, we got it the first time.)
If you haven’t seen this yet, don’t. Instead, rent Scarface, and imagine the cop character. Or, rent Carlito’s Way. Or, rent Fallen and watch Denzell try a little harder on screen. Jonesing for some Russell Crowe? Watch the Insider, or Gladiator, or the Usual Suspects. American Gangster, while not the worst movie of all time, was a waste of time.
Filed under: movies
