AMERICAN GANGSTER

Name of movie-American Gangster.

Cast-Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and others.

Director-Ridley Scott.

I saw American Gangster on Saturday night. This is a movie set in the 1960s and 70s and shows how heroin was sourced from Vietnam and China and how a whole generation of America degenerated.

The movie is shot in a style reminiscent of the fifties with a foggy effect on screen. Lot of hard work has gone into the creation of authentic sets, vehicles, billboards, fashion style etc.. Denzel Washington plays the role of Frank Lucas the 'collector' of a big crime lord. When his boss dies of a heart attack, Frank consolidates his position by sourcing heroin form Vietnam using the U.S. Army as a courier. He distributes cocaine throughout the country marketing it as "Blue Magic."

He fights the Italian Mafia, corrupt police officials, enforcement operatives, and other Black gangs. He becomes the undisputed king of Harlem.

He brings in his younger brothers to the city to help him with his business. He also falls in love with a Puerto Rican beauty and marries on her.

On the other side of the law we have police detective Richie Roberts played by Russell Crowe. Richie is struggling to cope up with his failing marriage, he also pursues a course in law by going to night-school.

The story is pretty interesting and I am not going to reveal all of the story. The cat and mouse game between the cops and the criminals is pretty well brought out. There is not lots of explosions on screen and the narrative is gripping. The movie is going to get nominated for a decent number of Academy Awards and I won't be surprised if Ridley Scott gets the coveted golden statuette for 'Best Direction.'

My rating 4/5.