American Gangster

REVIEW:

I like watching a gritty crime drama and I had not seen American Gangster for a very long time, so this was almost like rewatching it for the first time again. Unfortunately, this is not Ridley Scott’s best work, which is a shame considering the immense talent involved. As interesting as the story is, the movie at times feels hollow, like there’s something missing behind all the style and craftsmanship. It’s as if Scott builds the perfect stage but forgets to fill it with the same depth of emotion and impact his other works carry.

The opening scene sets a false promise. Watching Denzel Washington’s Frank Lucas set a man on fire in cold blood is a brutal, attention-grabbing way to start. It suggests the film is going to push boundaries, shock, and confront the audience with moments of unflinching violence. But oddly enough, the rest of the movie never climbs back to that same level of intensity. The violence we do see afterwards feels restrained, even cautious, which makes the first scene linger in your mind as a kind of misdirection.

Going into this, you need to understand this is not an action crime movie, it is a crime drama and a character study. That distinction makes all the difference. If you are expecting car chases, shootouts, and constant tension, you will be disappointed. But if you can accept a slower burn and a focus on personalities, ambition, and moral shades of grey, American Gangster becomes much more engaging. This is an underdog story soaked in corruption, money, and heroin, played out across an America still reeling from the Vietnam War.

Even though the story is consistently interesting, the pacing wobbles. At over two and a half hours, there are moments where you feel the weight of its runtime. However, it never tips into boredom. It is more like a long road trip with stretches of calm between the bursts of action. You remain invested because the performances keep the momentum alive, even when the narrative slows down to focus on quiet conversations or procedural steps in the investigation.

The cast is nothing short of phenomenal. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both bring their trademark intensity, with Denzel exuding calm menace and Crowe delivering the stubborn determination of a man obsessed with his target. Seeing Crowe and Ridley Scott working together again is always a treat, you expect quality from that pairing. There is one scene in particular that stands out: Frank walking right up to Idris Elba’s character and shooting him in broad daylight, no hesitation, no second thoughts. It is ruthless, it is bold, and it tells you everything you need to know about this man in seconds.

The soundtrack complements the setting beautifully, full of R&B and soul music that grounds the story in its 1970s world. I have seen complaints that the movie juggles too many subplots, but I disagree. The central thread is clear, the rise of Frank Lucas and the relentless pursuit of him by Richie Roberts. Everything else feels like a natural extension of that core conflict. And with the Vietnam War as the backdrop, complete with the shocking reality of drugs being smuggled back in military coffins, there is a constant reminder of the era’s chaos.

One thing I did not expect was how much I would end up rooting for Frank Lucas. When Josh Brolin’s corrupt cop trashes Frank’s home, or when Richie becomes so obsessed that he starts prying into military coffins, I found myself quietly hoping Frank would get away. Yes, he is a criminal. Yes, his empire is built on addiction and destruction. But he is also portrayed as a family man, smart, and capable, qualities that make him oddly admirable. This might not have been Ridley Scott’s intention, but it is how the film plays for me.

I will say I was let down by the lack of a real confrontation between Frank and Richie before the arrest. For a film built around these two men circling each other, it felt like a missed opportunity not to have them meet in a moment of verbal sparring before the law finally closes in. Still, while I have pointed out flaws, let me be clear, this is a good crime film. It is well acted, well shot, and anchored by an interesting true story. But the pacing is uneven, and maybe I was expecting more. Even so, if you enjoy crime dramas, it is definitely worth a watch.