American Gangster

Just watched the film American Gangster, by Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington (Oscar winner) and Russell Crowe (Oscar winner).

It is a must-watch film! To release a great film, it needs a great story, great script, great director and great actors, etc. Well, this is an incredible and amazing movie! Not to be missed! I suppose this film is up for Oscar nominations. And look out for their retro style costume, sunglass, hairdo! hee... ..

American Gangster tell the story of a black guy building his brand. A story on the drug world during the Vietnam war and Mohammad Ali period. Denzel is Frank Lucas. A man who is fillial, cunning, go-getter and fearless. A rag-to-riches business man. A man who bring his mother to church on every Sunday. A man who handed out a truck of turkeys to strangers on Thanksgiving Day, just like his mentor. Russell is Ritchie Roberts. A man who hold high moral compass and daring. A cop who turn in piles of money, which can last him a luxury life, to the police.

The main focus on the story is of course Frank. An enterprise man (it amuse me that this film show Frank how to run a business and talk like a successful businessman, something which I didn't really see much in a drug film before) who made a name by himself. A black guy who had break into the Italian mafia drug stronghold. A guy on top of the game. A story on how he run his operation. His trips to the Golden Triangle, how he smuggle the opium to US, then to their process 'factory', and finally, to his 'distribution centres'. Oh, his operations remind me of the Hong Kong film, by Derek Yee, starring Andy Lau, Daniel Wu and Louis Khoo in The Protege. A story on how Frank work his way to become a godfather and his downfall. Btw, look at Denzel! He is incredible.

American Gangster also tell us on how Ritchie remain a righteous cop in a corrupting police force. Ritchie is an ex-Marine, who later join the Israel police force. And return to US to become a detective in New Jersey. A story on how he eventually head a team of anti-drug team. A team that consist of good cops, nothing less. Well, it also show his other side of story, that he is not a good husband and father. Oh, btw, Ritchie love potato chips, don't he? He made himself sandwich with potato chips in them! hee... .

Ritchie eventually caught Frank, who was sentence to 70yrs behind the bar. Ritchie become a Prosecutor Attorney and later become a Defence Attorney. As a Defence Attorney, he reduce Frank sentence to 15yrs, who was released in 1981. Ritchie choose to become a Defence Attorney, because he could choose to protect those who are in need. Well, I had to say, both Frank and Ritchie led an eventful life.

There are lots of interesting quotes in this film:
"Most important thing in business is honesty, integrity and hard work" - Frank's enterprise spirit.
"Never forget where we came from" - Frank's fillial and family spirit.
"Do what? Run? Hide? This is my home, my business, my wife, my mother, this is my country. I arn't going nowhere" - Frank's fearless attitdue.
"Either you're somebody, or you arn't nobody" - Frank's go-getter spirit.

This is a true story. Top grade.

What is a good guy? And what is a bad guy?
A guy who sold drugs, but a fillial son. Is he a bad or good guy?
A guy who stand by the law, but not a good father. Is he a good or bad guy?

A father who steal food for his son, is he a good guy?

Lots of times, what is usual stuff to you, is not usual stuff to me.
Seeing people poking needles is common to some. But not to some.
What is right, and what is not?
Many times, good and bad is just divided by a fine line.
Many times, we led a grey live.

Well, I wonder how are Frank and Ritchie doing now. Drop me a line if you know. :)

I admire them.