Iffy for 15+
Violent, drug-fueled drama isn't for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this based-on-a-true story drama about a brutal 1970s gangster isn't for kids. He commits extremely violent acts, which are depicted explicitly (often with guns) and accompanied by blood, wounds, and groaning. And since the plot focuses on heroin smuggling and dealing, there are many shots of junkies and drug use (including needles in arms, cocaine being snorted, and more). Sexual content includes scenes with prostitutes, kissing, bare breasts, and cleavage, and there's plenty of language, including almost 100 uses of "f--k."
- Families can talk about whether the movie glamorizes criminal behavior. How is Frank both villainous and attractive? How does the film compare and contrast him to Richie, who's upright on the job but not a good husband? Families can also discuss the fact that the movie is based on a true story. How accurate do you think it is? Why do filmmakers sometimes tweak the facts when they're making biopics or movies based on actual events?
The good stuff
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Messages: Gangsters are cruel, cocky, and greedy; cops are earnest and honest to a fault. Their run-ins result in violence and, eventually, collaboration.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several scenes show shooting, fighting, and tense stand-offs between men wielding large guns. An early scene shows the funeral of gangster's mentor, followed by vows of aggression against rivals. Clips of the Vietnam War appear on background TVs. Cops raid drug locations, with guns drawn and used. A man is thrown down the stairs, with bloody results. Following a shooting, there's blood on the floor and walls. Frank coldly shoots a man on the street (hole in head visible). Flashback shows Frank shooting someone while saying he's a "gentleman." Frank beats a man at a party in his home, then blows up over the blood on his white carpet. Skeet shooting; brief shots of a boxing match.
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Sex: Prostitutes stroll New York streets. Dancers in a Bangkok bar show cleavage and sexy behavior. Women's naked breasts are visible as they work to process drugs. Brief, rowdy sex scene in a kitchen; a couple of scenes show kissing (Richie with a stewardess). Men appear in bars and clubs with multiple girlfriends and sex workers who show cleavage in tight outfits. Frank and Eva kiss passionately, though the act is mostly covered up by her long hair. Frank is massaged by a woman naked from the waist up.
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Language: Much profanity, including nearly 100 uses of "f--k" (some with "mother"), as well as plenty of uses of "s--t," "ass," "damn," and "hell." Also several uses of the "N" word -- sometimes between friends, other times used in a derogatory way.
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Consumerism: Coca-Cola, Ford Mustang.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Pervasive drugs (opium, heroin, pills, marijuana, cocaine) and drinking. Nixon appears on TV, denouncing "drug abuse." Drinking in bars (some in Southeast Asia, where the atmosphere is decidedly seedy), at parties, on the streets, and in hotel rooms. Frequent cigarette and cigar smoking (reflecting the 1970s setting). Images of heroin transportation (by sacks and bricks), production, and use; needles shown on tables and in arms (a bloody needle in one shot); cocaine and heroin snorting.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
A must go, read why! by xronmcdonx
Richie Roberts (Russel Crowe) gets one of Frank Lucas's (Denzel Washington) cousins to wear a wire after he witnesses him almost kill his girlfriend. Roberts is able to figure out when Lucas's next shipment is coming into the US. They find that Lucas is smuggling the heroin into the country by hiding it in the false bottoms of dead soldiers's coffins.
Frank Lucas is arrested but makes a deal with Roberts in order to shave time off of his sentence. He gives Roberts enough information to put away two-thirds of the crooked cops that were in the special drug task force.
At the very end of the movie it is 1991, and Lucas is released from prison. His wife goes back to Puerto Rico.
5
American Gangster assassinates all doubts by DoItAgain
I was not sure how this movie would pan out. I am a mafia/gangster movie fan but I did not want to see a story of sex, murder and mayhem with no moral to the story.
I was blown away.
Denzel delivers an impeccable performance. The cast included veterans and new comers. I enjoyed the battle between good and evil, black and white, right and wrong. I think that the way in which Denzel used his seething eyes, and cold, pursed lips to portray such deep-seated pain, anger and frustration goes to show that great acting is not in big gestures and physical gyrations but it can be quiet, dark and strong.
I was disappointed in T.I.'s performance but enjoyed watching Common on the big screen. It was also great to see Ruby Dee as the mother but wish she had a more dominant role. She was the object of his devotion but only once did she show her strength. Begging me to question where Frank got his from. Poverty in America gave birth to the American Gangster.
A must see.
4
American Gangster by dsteimle
This film is excellent. Ridley Scott has assembled an excellent ensemble to tell the story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug lord of the 1970s, and Richie Roberts, the New Jersey prosecutor who brought him down.
Scott treads a fine line in trying not to glorify Lucas's business or his lifestyle while at the same time presenting Lucas as a many-faceted character.
Ruby Dee as his mother and Cuba Gooding Jr. as a competing drug lord turn in fine perfromances also.
Only drawback that at 2 1/2 hours plus, the fiilm is a bit long. Bring plenty of popcorn!
5
ONE OF THE BEST IN QUITE AWHILE by drhch
Normally I end up walking out of many of the movies I attend - but not this one. It kept me rapt and riveted for 2 and 1/2 hrs. It's the little things that I look for in a movie like great acting, superb directing, relevant scriptwriting, and good cinematography, to keep my attention. Denzel and Crowe (not to exclude the entire supporting cast) carry the film by the force of their own personality. This movie shows how it is possible to have a country with more black men in prison than in college. There are no outlets for any kind of entrepreneurship in the ghettos of America.
5
American Gangster by kel904
I loved this film, it was long..but never did it loose my attention. I have a hard time watching Denzel Washington be a "bag guy", but he was outstanding. Russell Crowe hasn't been this good since 'A Beautiful Mind'. Definatley go and see it in the theatres..you will not be sorry!
4
AMERICAN GANGSTER by door64pumpkin
Great performances by all lead actors. Denzel Washington hits the mark with his stylish portrayal of the black mobster Frank Lous. Although the movie was long in spots I would highly recommend seeing it.
5
A Cleverly Presented Story by rakhanreturns
Unlike many other gangster films where the notion is to glorify (Goodfellas) or condemn (The Untouchables), this movie strays away from the stereotypical presentations of good and bad; in fact both Washington's and Crowe's characters appear just like any other people, with the qualities commonly found desirable and despicable. In doing so not only does this more resemble a entertaining biopic than a glitzy fiction, but it also makes the end of the movie far more enjoyable when the story is all tied up neatly and basically lives up to the promotional images interspersed through theaters (even if not in the literal sense). The progression of the movie is steady, relying less on outright violence and more on evoking the dangerous feeling of violence and when the movie ends, you will feel yourself drawing in a very large breath!
Great movie - this will definitely go into my DVD library.
4
Powerful by karensaucedo
Well acted and a powerful indication of what we're up against in this country with the drug culture....where the commody is sold with unique marketing ideas and pure ruthlessness....
5
Definitely NOT for the popcorn-soda drinking-cell phone using-take your 5yr old, type of movie goers. by Killeen_TX_ Mr. Brooks
The Story: Frank Lucas, born poor, lived with overt racism and crime from his neighborhood and police. Taught by a ?local? drug king pin in his youth, learned the drug trade, learned organizational skills.
Ritchie Roberts, a detective, works hard at being honest among his brethren of the badge who were thieves, dope users, dope sellers, and mob workers. Ritchie?s life became a mess after he turned in over $900,000,000 of Frank?s untraceable drug money.
The Vietnam War and the drug trade during our 10+ years there is a story all to its self. No one was spared, not the Soldier in the field, the Commanders in the rear, nor the Democratic Senators back in the US. When President Nixon stopped the War, he stopped the unrelenting bloodletting of the American soldier dying not just from bullets and bombs, but from drugs and its money, the American people from buying 100% pure heroin, low cost, and a very devastating high impact on the American family for generations yet to come.
5
Awesome direction of an interesting story by becmckee
I've always been a Denzell fan, and I'm fast becoming a Russell Crowe follower. These two guys do an incredible job in this wonderfully directed movie. Both men, although on opposite sides of the law, share common enemies and a common intensity to do what they believe is "right." Add in the chaotic setting of Vietnam-era NYC, powerful drug lords, and corrupt law enforcement, and you've got an engrossing 2.5 hours. See it AT LEAST once!