American Gangster (2007)

In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writers:

Steven Zaillian, Mark Jacobson (article)

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 31 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe	...	Richie Roberts
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Huey Lucas
Josh Brolin	...	Detective Trupo
Lymari Nadal	...	Eva
Ted Levine	...	Lou Toback
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Nate
John Hawkes	...	Freddie Spearman
RZA	...	Moses Jones
Yul Vazquez	...	Alfonso Abruzzo
Malcolm Goodwin	...	Jimmy Zee
Ruby Dee	...	Mama Lucas
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Doc
Carla Gugino	...	Laurie Roberts
Skyler Fortgang	...	Michael Roberts

Storyline

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

heroin | death | smuggling | vietnam | policeman | 

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Taglines:

There are two sides to the American dream.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

18A

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Gangster américain

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,564,853 (UK) (16 November 2007)

Gross:

$130,127,620 (USA) (25 January 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Relativity Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

157 min 176 min (Unrated Edition)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Clarence Williams III portrays the character Bumpy Johnson. In the film Hoodlum (1997), Clarence goes head to ahead with Bumpy Johnson (portrayed by Laurence Fishburne) as the character Bub Hewlett.

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Goofs

During the period of the film's setting, subway subway cars would've been BMT standard, R1/9, R10-R33 cars. Cars similar to the 1986 model shown would've been very new and very rare.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bumpy Johnson: Happy Thanksgiving!

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the closing credits, Frank Lucas approaches the camera and fires one shot from a pistol directly at the audience.

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Connections

Featured in 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2008)

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Soundtracks

Stone, Cold
(2007)
Written by Hank Shocklee, Anthony Hamilton
Published by UPG Music Publishing, Inc.
Produced by Hank Shocklee
Performed by Anthony Hamilton
Courtesy of SoSo Def/Zomba Music Group

User Reviews

Keeps The Viewer Involved And Interested....Well Done.

The story about Frank Lucas is one that proves fact is more interesting than fiction. The fact that such a character really did exist yet I do not remember it certainly intrigues me. I guess I was just too young at the time it broke. Now approaching my later forties finds me longing to research it further after seeing this movie.

I get the feeling Ridley Scott was amazed a person such as Frank Lucas was actually able to do what he did and live to tell about it. I certainly share that amazement. The care in which he tells the story serves it well. Though it's basically a gangster movie it's not particularly graphic in violence except in a few scenes. Even Denzel's and Russel's portrayals of the two central characters are not quite as dark as the usual more stereotypical gangster/cop persona...Still there is a sense of doom and danger ever present as the viewer knows neither law enforcement, government, or mafia will let this man's drug empire go on.

To sum it up I believe this is an excellent telling of a true crime story. It's intriguing, entertaining, and certainly serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant in combating drugs.