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American Gangster (2007)

R  |   |  Biography, Crime, Drama  |  2 November 2007 (USA)
7.8
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Ratings: 7.8/10 from 308,372 users   Metascore: 76/100
Reviews: 448 user | 297 critic | 38 from Metacritic.com

In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East.

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 32 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Eva
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Lou Toback
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Skyler Fortgang ...
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Storyline

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. Based on a true story. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

There are two sides to the American dream.

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

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Language:

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Return of Superfly  »

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$24,028,445 (USA) (2 November 2007)

Gross:

$130,127,620 (USA) (25 January 2008)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Unrated Edition)

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Not only did the real Richie Roberts serve as Frank Lucas's lawyer after he went into private practice, he was godfather to Lucas's son. See more »

Goofs

In one scene at Fort Bragg/Pope AFB, a modern-day C-17 Globemaster III is in the background. The Air Force added them in 1993. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Bumpy Johnson: Happy Thanksgiving!
See more »

Crazy Credits

At the end of the closing credits, Frank Lucas approaches the camera and fires one shot from a pistol directly at the audience. See more »

Connections

Referenced in 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

Checkin' Up On My Baby
(1965)
Written by Sonny Boy Williamson
Published by Arc Music Corp.
Produced by Hank Shocklee
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
excellent story, flawless performances
29 October 2007 | by (Romania) – See all my reviews

American Gangster is one of the best movies i've recently seen and it is a pleasure to watch even if you are not a gangster movies fan. The story is more captivating than i expected i must say, following Frank Lucas(Denzel Washington) - the afro-American drug lord who raised above all, even the Italian mafia - and Richie Roberts(Russel Crowe), the honest cop in a city full of corruption, sort of Frank Serpico but with less guts.

Denzel Washington delivers a marvelous performance of a man calm and patient yet heart-stopping ferocious at some points, fearless and ambitious but likable as always. His performances are always incredible, he's a great actor, the greatest afro-American actor of all time i dare to say, it's simply a pleasure to watch him in any role.

Russel Crowe delivers a good performance, he's one of the actors that never disappoint in my opinion and i think there's a great chemistry between them (Washington and Crowe) even though few scenes bring them face to face. Richie Roberts is in danger for being one of the few cops that actually do their jobs and refuse to take bribe so i think there's a big resemblance between Richie Roberts and Frank Serpico (Al Pacino 1973).

Cuba Gooding Jr. could have gotten a bigger part, or more scenes because he's a very talented actor and he proved himself many times that he's more than capable of delivering excellent performances.

The drama is less than expected but the movie is very well paced and it never gets boring even if it lasts more than two hours. Everything fits perfectly and there is an excellent antithetical presentation of the wealthy life of Frank Lucas opposite to the lives that he's drugs ruin every day, every hour, every minute...

I strongly recommend to gangster movies fans, actually to those viewers who enjoy good movies because this movie is above average and you will enjoy every second of it.


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Is this movie worth watching? pilot-78
movies with the dirtiest cops...brolin(trupo)? markyho
Russel Crowe? SpyderPig
Slightly confused about Richie's dual role walter-984-446433
bumpy's comments at the start about pride of ownership lord_kellington
Even a fool gets to be young once gt530
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