Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe star in this film, so that should tell you right away that this is going to be a great movie, despite the fact that the last time the two teamed up together the result was the mediocre “Virtuosity.” Both Washington and Crowe are arguably the best actors working today and both shine in this film.

“American Gangster” is about Frank Lucas (Washington), a hustler in Harlem who takes over the drug business when his mentor, Bumpy, dies. Frank uses a family connection, a cousin with ties to the military while owning a bar in Vietnam, to procure pure heroin at an incredible price and soon runs the streets of Harlem with a cheap, pure version of the drug. Richie Roberts (Crowe) is a straight shooting cop who heads up an inaugural drug task force in New Jersey. As Roberts’ investigation heats up and targets more and more people, his path begins to cross with Lucas.

Washington and Crowe do an amazing job in the film which runs over two and a half hours long. They keep the viewer interested in the film and the sordid history and they do it very subtly. Though the actors don’t interact until late in the movie, their meeting is inevitable and both actors provide enough fireworks to have you rooting for Lucas’ downfall and Roberts’ success. While Lucas is an evil character, Washington gives him enough likability that you stick with him when he is confronted by other bad characters (members of the mafia, rival dealers, crooked cops).

Speaking of crooked cops, Josh Brolin turns in a fine performance as Detective Trupo, a very crooked cop who takes his share from all sorts of criminals. Hard to believe he was Brand, the older brother, in “The Goonies.”

While the acting in the film is top notch, director Ridley Scott also deserves a ton of credit for re-creating a dark and dangerous New York City. The film feels gritty and grimy, but it doesn’t bog the viewer down. It feels right. Scott also does a good job of pacing the film, never making it feel too long. By the time the film reaches the pivotal climax, the viewer is ready for action and Scott delivers.

“American Gangster” isn’t “The Godfather” or “Scarface,” but it does pack a punch and it is one of the best films of the year.

****

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