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American
Gangster
(2007)
 
On paper, the combination of a noted director, an Oscar-winning
screenwriter, and two really good actors probably sounded like a
sure-fire winner, so why doesn't it work?
The story depicts the rise of Harlem heroin dealer Frank Lucas
(Denzel Washington) in the early 1970s and how he's brought down by
doggedly honest Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe).
Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator) never
fails to put together a polished film, but what this one lacks is
energy. As well-made as it is, the momentum switch seems to be set to
'coasting' from start to finish, as if Scott simply couldn't muster
the passion for it. Although the screenplay by Steven Zaillian
(Schindler's List, Gangs of New York) is competently written,
there's absolutely nothing in it that we haven't seen before in
similar films. It's scripted by the numbers and pays scant attention
to developing its characters or their motivations. We learn that as a
child Lucas witnessed police murder his cousin. We learn that Roberts
is as dishonest in his personal life as he is honest in his
professional one. That's about as developed as the characters get.
The moody cinematography by Harris Savides (Finding Forrester,
Zodiac) nicely captures the gritty, urban feel of the story, while
production designer Arthur Max (Se7en, Gladiator) and costume
designer Janty Yates (Gladiator, Miami Vice) provide an authentic
period look. The score by Marc Streitenfeld (A Good Year) is simple
but effective, with songs from the period also being used.
Despite his character being underdeveloped, Washington delivers a
good performance as Lucas. His charisma always makes him watchable
even in lesser films, and that trait serves this production well.
Crowe's performance is respectable, but pales in comparison to his
work in 3:10 to Yuma earlier in the year. The only time he gives
off sparks is in the few scenes he shares with Washington.
It's certainly true that the best thing about the film is its cast,
even if it seems that some good actors are wasted on routine roles
that don't require them to stretch their acting muscles. That cast
includes Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lucas' brother Huey, Josh Brolin as a
corrupt detective, Lymari Nadal as Lucas' beauty queen wife, Cuba
Gooding Jr. as a rival gangster, Ted Levine as Roberts' superior,
Armand Assante as a Mafia boss, John Hawkes as Roberts' partner, Ruby
Dee as Lucas' mother, Carla Gugino as Roberts' ex-wife, Joe Morton as
an associate of Lucas, and Clarence Williams III as Lucas' mentor
Bumpy Johnson.
American Gangster wants to be a gangster film, a police procedural,
a study of police corruption, a morality play, and a biography, and
its inability to decide which it really is leaves it feeling
unfocused. It's an uninspired attempt from filmmakers who have proven
that they're capable of much more, and that's the most disappointing
thing about it.
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Ridley
Scott
Writer: Steven
Zaillian, Mark Jacobson
Starring: Denzel
Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari
Nadal, Ruby Dee, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Distributor: Universal
Pictures
Runtime: 157
min
Rating: R
Release Date: November
2, 2007
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