“AMERICAN GANGSTER”
Starring Denzel Washington,
Russell Crowe, Ruby Dee,
Lymari Nadal, Josh Brolin
Released: Feb. 19, 2008 (DVD),
Nov. 2, 2007 (Theaters)

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An excellent movie that is sure to be a classic for years to come.

IF A MOVIE is able to combine heroin, the Vietnam War, and New York City crime and police, it has the potential to be an excellent film. “American Gangster” brought all of these pieces together in a 2007 crime epic now available on DVD.

“American Gangster” is the true story of Frank Lucas, a New York drug lord.

Set in the late 1960s and the 1970s, the film documents his rise and fall. The role of Lucas is masterfully played by Denzel Washington, who continuously turns out excellent performances. Washington is joined by an all-star cast, including Russell Crowe.

Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective who is attempting to stop New York City’s drug problems. Roberts is among the cleanest of all cops in the city, even turning down the opportunity to take nearly a million dollars, no strings attached.

Lucas begins the movie as the driver and heir to “Bumpy” Johnson (Clarence Williams III), head of a vast crime organization in Harlem.

However, his succession to power after Johnson’s death in 1968 does not go as expected because Lucas has yet to gain the respect needed to traffic drugs in the city. Therefore, Lucas ingeniously decides to skip the middle man and get his heroin directly from Southeast Asia, where the United States is at war in Vietnam.

Lucas uses a connection in the military to get his product to the States. When it hits the streets, the heroin is an immediate success because of its purity and low price. All seems to be well for Lucas, whose modesty generally keeps him out of trouble.

Lucas’ success soon becomes too big to ignore, and he is discovered by Roberts, who makes it his life goal to bring down Lucas and clear heroin off the streets.

Not enough can be said for Washington’s and Crowe’s star performances. They each convincingly play their parts and are able to bring emotion to their roles.

Washington plays his character with poise, and he is convincing at whatever he does, whether it’s being the cool, dapper Lucas or the furious Lucas when his life is spinning out of control.

Crowe similarly does justice to a complex character. Roberts is a frustrated man who feels he needs to take down Lucas but who is also at odds with his corrupt colleagues, such as Detective Trupo (Josh Brolin).

In a movie full of positive performances I only had one problem. There are few likable characters. While Frank Lucas is the protagonist of the film, he is still an undesirable. His actions lead to death and poverty in the city.

Roberts also has his faults. The clean cop Roberts is unable to pay child support for his ex-wife, and he keeps many mistresses.

The most likable character in the movie is Lucas’ grandmother, played by Ruby Dee. She received a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for her performance. She plays a lovable grandmother who attempts to guide Lucas to make ethical decisions, namely not lying to her or to Lucas’ wife, Eva (Lymari Nadal).

Constant themes throughout the movie are morality and the effect that one man, in this case Lucas, can have on others. Lucas’ drug dealing leads to chronic heroin addictions throughout New York City.

There is one scene in the movie where the two lifestyles — the lifestyles of the dealer and the addicted — are drastically contrasted. While Lucas and his family sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner, flashes of lives of heroin addicts appear in contrast to him. Director Ridley Scott shows how one man’s lavish lifestyle can lead to the deaths of others.

“American Gangster” is an excellent film for anyone who loves a fast plot. In fact it is an excellent film for anyone who can stand some violence. I would recommend it to pretty much anyone who wants to see a good movie.

“American Gangster,” rated R, is available on DVD in three versions: combo HD DVD and standard DVD, $26.98; two-disc unrated extended edition, $29.98; and three-disc collector's edition, $34.98.

DVD Special Features: Three-Disc Collector's Edition

• Contains both R-rated theatrical version and digital copy of unrated version
• Commentary with director Ridley Scott and writer Steven Zaillian
• Alternate opening
• Frank and Eva's wedding
• Fallen Empire: Making "American Gangster" — Tru-Blu: The Real Story
• Fallen Empire: Making "American Gangster" — Killer Threads: Costumes
• Fallen Empire: Making "American Gangster" — Crime War: Production
• Fallen Empire: Making "American Gangster" — Into the Arena: Ali vs. Frazier
• Fallen Empire: Making "American Gangster" — Rhythm of the Street: Sound, Music, and Editing
• Case Files: Script Meeting
• Case Files: Heroin Test Show & Tell
• Case Files: Setting Up the Takedown
• Hip-Hop Infusion
• The BET Special: "The Making of 'American Gangster'"
• "Dateline NBC: 'American Gangster' First Look"
• "Blue Magic" by Jay Z
• "Do You Feel Me" by Anthony Hamilton featuring Ghostface Killah
• Theatrical trailer
• Second-session digital files
• 32-page collectible book