4 stars out of 5
I am a sucker for dramas based on real life. Throw in Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe and I am in. "American Gangster" is based on the true story of Frank Lucas (Denzel), an enterprising gang boss who made a killing during the Vietnam War shipping cocaine in the coffins of dead servicemen. Richie Roberts (Crowe) is a cop from New Jersey who is just too honest to be a cop in the 1970s.
Crowe is determined to get the top dog, and relentlessly pursues Lucas. It's a gritty crime drama with great acting and directing. I enjoyed it, though I can only take so much real life crime. It is similar in flavor to "The Wire", the popular HBO series, which I enjoyed but could not watch episode after episode.
It's a great look into New York in the 1970s, which appeared to be a lawless free-for-all. Also an interesting look into cop and gang culture. Obviously, not for everyone.
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