American Gangster (18)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.American Gangster is a true-crime thriller directed by Ridley Scott. It stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a brutal but careful crime lord who controls the heroin trade in Harlem in the early 1970s. His co-star – although they don't meet until the final scenes – is Russell Crowe's Richie Roberts, an incorruptible cop who heads a new anti-drugs task force.
It all sounds promising, but American Gangster just isn't very exciting. Scott opts for unshowy efficiency instead of his usual visual flair, and his leading men are neither charismatic nor credibly complicated. Lucas and Roberts deserve a fascinating biopic each, but by dividing its attention so scrupulously between the two of them, American Gangster sells short two larger-than-life individuals.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments