AMERICAN GANGSTER

"Frank Lucas don't run from nobody" and he doesn't.

I have taken classes on criminal psychology, read up on numerous gangsters (past and present), am a fan of the true crime films and true crime novels. Even with all of that, I hadn't heard a lot about Frank Lucas. And although this is a film version (based on the true story), the movie made me want to read up even more on both Frank Lucas and Detective Richie Roberts. The story of Frank Lucas as played out by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe is phenomenal and will not disappoint fans of either lead actor. The movie starts off with a bang and continues to draw out the complex characters of the two men who become client and attorney.

Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas. He is mesmerizing. You see how he began as a driver and who he becomes. You also see that several of his morals do not change. Those morals are ones that even a man such as Frank Lucas shares with many others. He deserves at least another Oscar nomination.

Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts. He has the same intensity and drive that he did in "Cinderella Man" and "Gladiator" which he needs for this character. He delivers his funny lines with great comic timing, a quality that was nice to see in his acting.

Negatives...
Not really any negatives. Several graphic violence scenes in which I had to turn my head.

Positives ...
The movie runs 2 hours and 40 minutes. It doesn't feel like it at all. The story and the acting are engrossing.

Bottom Line …
AWESOME FILM!