American Gangster

I’ve read Frank Lucas’s Memoir 7 times. Original Gangster. I’ve seen this Film 3 times. The writers of the screenplay would have us believe that the self-inflicted darknesses of life are awesomely harsh and black and white at all times. Denzel Washington is asked to portray a caricature of Frank Lucas. Frank Lucas is a man who loved and parented his son Yogi and his daughter Francine. He parented. When Yogi was living with his Mother in a place full of addicts, a place which made junkies and criminals like a factory, Frank Lucas decided to take Yogi and raise him in the loving home, he and his Wife Julie provided. I think in this, you see a layer to Mr. Lucas that fundamentally changes how you perceive him. Reading of the interactions between Frank and his little girl, Francine, it’s impossible to believe in the one dimensional monster this Film makes Frank out to be. The scenes of Lucas floating on a raft with some costume gear attempting to demonstrate his journey to the poppy fields is incredulous. Lucas went only once and on the return through jungles which could only be traveled through by foot, for days, amounting to weeks, he was nearly murdered. His guides lost nearly all their food and Frank was forced to eat worms. He contracted a severe illness like the flu and by the time he made it back to his Hotel Room, a man who never stopped for anything, was forced into his bed for a week. The scene where Frank shoved his brothers head through a window. The scene where Frank beat his cousins head and face with a piano lid. Frank never wanted his family in the business. Frank did all he could to provide for them and present them a separate set of options. THIS IS WHAT’s REAL!!! Frank Lucas and his Wife Julie, the Puerto Rican beauty Queen in this Film, stayed married all the way to or near the time of Frank’s death. Frank Lucas did acquire and distribute Heroin. That’s about all this movie tells you. Oh and he beat some guys up and painted some air.

With that I noticed one flaw in the movie.... Stevie Lucas, portrayed by T.I., said he was a left handed pitcher during the film. However in the movie T.I. was throwing right handed.... attention to detail. Most would not notice but avid movie lovers do!!!! Nonetheless 4.9 Stars!

Denzel plus Russel plus Ridley Scott equals American Classic in the making. Can't speak anymore highly over Denzel Washington as the infamous Frank Lucas a man who had Endearing family values that would make you forget the fact that this man was a Heartless Drug Kingpin! Russel Crowe enters as Ritchie Roberts the down trotted detective who was honest enough to turn over A million dollars in evidence though not as honest in a divorce proceedings. But his honesty on the job makes him lead a Special Investigation unit over the "Blue Magic" drug, and Frank Lucas the man responsible for it. This movie was filled to the brim with great performances.and the cinematography makes it feel like I went back in time to the 60's and 70's! And Armand Assante played a legitimate mob boss. God bless America.

They should make a 2nd movie

Real Gangsta!

There have not been a lot of good mob or mafia related movies lately. So if youre in the mood for something new around that genre then I highly recommend giving this a watch.

there's only a couple of other gangster movies that are better... definitley one of the best!!!

My god I can't express how much I loved this movie!!! I would say it's one of my all time favorites. I was drawn into to the film from the beginning, so much that I actually felt as if I was apart of the film. I reccommend this movie to anyone!!! 5 stars!!!

The best movie ever, I've seen like 30 times at least and right now I am getting it into my iPhone, just to have it on the go.

if u DONT like this movie i would like you to watch it again