American Gangster Crap Review Time!

There is a scene, perhaps 40 minutes into American Gangster, where Denzel Washington's berates his younger brother for dressing too flashy (considering this was the 1970's, this was quite an achievement), as such an error in judgment is likely to get him noticed by the Police. 'Tis better, says Mr Washington, to fly under the radar by dressing in a more conservative fashion.

It's no coincidence that I open with this tidbit of largely irreverent trivia, as unlike dear younger brother, American Gangster seems to have taken this advice to heart, and as such is an example of drudgery and general failure to distinguish itself from the litany of other crime movies. American Gangster isn't bad, it just exists.


Such a concept is difficult to understand, as if any movie had the potential to be a 21st century Scarface, then this one did. Not only was director-extraordinare Ridley Scott at the helm, but it was based on a true story, and they always turn out well. Then there where the stars:

Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe serve as polar opposites in their roles: Washington as Frank Lucas, a somewhat good natured drug distributor, and Crowe as Richie Roberts, a detective who's so trustworthy that you have to wonder what his angle is. Both shine under Scott's direction, but Crowes portrayal in particular lends creedance to the Oscar kudos being thrown his way.

As you can probably gather from prior knowledge with this genre, it's inevitable that the two folks on opposite ends of the law are going to face off.
The thing is, these great moments that you expect from this rivalry never seem to come, or when they are, are rare and fleeting.
Funnily enough, in a film so lauded for a few central performances (something I just did!_, it's the moments set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War that lend themselves to some brilliant moments and enduring imagery.

If Scott, Washington and Crowe made the movie, then the script destroyed it, and when I say script, I mean hodge-dodge of cliches.
It's not that the true story of Frank Lucas isn't interesting, it's just that the way it's handled isn't in an engaging manner..
Since the two are already so closely intertwined, how about some more commentary on the morality of drugs and war? Or less time devoted to bad montages are more to the concept of drug dealing being nothing more than offering a service?
American Gangster, if anything, is an example that no matter how good you build the movie, the foundation better be solid, or you'll have nothing but a mess on your hands.