Rated R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality.
Directed by Ridley Scott (Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator)
Starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe
Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Brian Grazer and Ridley Scott, another movie-making dream team, bring to the big screen the true story of 1970s Harlem’s larger than life gangster Frank Lucas and his mirror counterpart top cop Richie Roberts. The result is a two and a half hour wild ride filled with intense drama and a whole lot of violence.
The story revolves around two similar characters. Both Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) share the same work ethic and strong, yet flawed, ethical code that separate them from their colleagues. Their only difference: they stand on opposite sides of the law. Frank Lucas was the quiet driver to one of Harlem’s African-American crime bosses. At his side when his boss suddenly dies, Frank seizes the opportunity and begins to build his own empire. It’s not long before Lucas is sitting on top of the inner-city drug trade. His method is simple: a better product at a better price. Richie Roberts, who because of his honesty, is an outcast with the other cops. After the death of his partner he becomes obsessed with finding the man behind the powerful heroin on the street, Blue Magic.
This is a great movie…the fact that it is based on a true story makes it a stinking (or freaking) great movie about one man’s rise and fall and another man’s fall and rise.
Washington is so believable in the role of Lucas that at times seeing his actions and the results of his actions appalls us; other times we admire him like a hero. In the same way Crowe is such a flawed hero that in one scene he appears to be the poster boy for integrity when he turns is a trunk full of money, but the next we see him in a messy divorce as a womanizing, absent father. As a result we struggle with our own moral beliefs and who we are suppose to cheer for.
As far as direction, Ridley Scott once again directs a near flawless film, together with some amazing performances by Crowe and Washington, make American Gangster one of the best organized crime dramas to come along in a long time.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Not a chance. The language, drug use, violence and sexual content give American Gangster a true R-rating.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
