SansPretense

American Gangster starring Denzel Washingston tells the story of organized crime boss and heroin dealer Frank Lucas, who, according to the movie was bigger than the mafia when it came to selling dope. From the movies fiery and dramatic opening scene until the very somber closing shot, Washington’s portrayal of Lucas demonstrates a complex character reminiscent of Pacino’s Michael Corleone from The Godfather series. On one hand, Lucas is a church-going family man who leads, whether by design or desire, a normal life on top of his drug dealing, but on the other, a ruthlessly violent criminal, quick to anger, with little or no regrets. Even in the end, after his business and family are brought down by what may be the most honest cop alive (who also prosecuted the case in the end after having passed the bar exam during the movie), Richie Roberts (Russel Crowe) - who found $1million in unmarked cash and turned it in, Lucas cuts a deal and turns informant against the corrupt cops who were accepting bribes from dealers. This was only fair considering the same cops ransacked his house, smacked his wife around, and shot his dog looking for his stash of “getaway cash.” One feels some sympathy for Lucas, but none for these dirtbags. Unlike the Godfather movies, Ridley Scott makes sure we don’t feel that much sympathy for the protagonist, however, by constantly showing images of the heroin junkies, both dead and alive, strung out and overdosed on Lucas’s Blue Magic (100% pure) heroin.

Again, comparing to the Godfather movies, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of character development with Lucas. We are left, in the end, with a lonely figure not unlike Al Pacino’s final scenes in Godfather II or III. However, there was no doubt much regret and despair and loneliness in Michael Corleone, whereas with Lucas, I felt that his only regret was being caught, and the loneliness a result of his loved ones still behind bars (Lucas’s term was reduced since he helped bring down the 3/4 of the NYPD Drug Enforcement Unit that were corrupt). Perhaps this is accurate as a portrayal of the real Frank Lucas?

This movie is a must see, and I am tempted to give it 5/5 instead of 4/5 stars. However, I will refrain since there are better movies out there.

The movie has several great lines, but for some reason this one stands out the most to me:

“Richie, fuck me like a cop, not a lawyer!” — Richie’s lawyer (during custody proceeding for his son) while they were…well, you know…