Thursday 15 May 2008

American Gangster


This is how a modern film becomes a classic.
Sheer genius of everything. From the casting, to the screenplay, to the plot progression, to character development. Simply genius.

Not many movies now are about the gangster pop culture, and even less are about real life crime figures. The movie portrays the real life American gangster >Frank Lucas, of Vietnam drug-smuggling legend. He was portrayed by Denzel Washington, who I consider as one of the best ever actors in modern film. His portrayal of Frank Lucas was incredible, down to the swagger of his walk. His co-star is the equally brilliant Russell Crowe of Gladiator fame. Put those together, and with a director like Ridley Scott (Gladiator), you are sure to get an epic movie.

The movie is rather long, at just under three hours, but if you don't mind a deep character development process for both Washington and Crowe, then you will thoroughly enjoy this movie. I know I did. The climax was inevitably good (did you really expect Washington's character to not be prosecuted?) and the real-life facts that followed were quite interesting.

For putting two great actors on screen, an impeccable character development, good plot progression, and great real-life story, American Gangster should be on everyone's watch list.

10/10


Jay~

2 comments:

  1. Absolutely great film which didn't receive its due at awards time. The character development was sharp, and I love the way the contrasts between Lucas and Richie Roberts were handled!

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  2. I agree with you 100%. I loved the character development of Roberts slightly more than Lucas', but both were awesome. I like how Roberts matured throughout the entire movie.

    Lucas' character development was slightly predictable, but that maybe due to the fact that the viewer (with prior history of the real Frank Lucas) already knows what will happen.

    On a side note, how did you find my blog? Are you a first-time reader?

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