American Gangster

This is an extremely efficient and effective crime drama which should give Ridley Scott a chance at a best director nom this year. The film is about a Harlem drug gangster(Denzel Washington) trying to succeed for his community and his finance. The truth in this film is that the police are as much the gangsters as the drug smugglers. Scott humanises the villain and puts substance in a "career" without glorifying it. That demonstrates great work by Scott and Washington. Russell Crowe plays a detective trying to rid the world of drug trafficking. The most effective part of the film is how it deals with its two main characters. They are flawed but good; dangerous, yet angelic; powerful, yet vulnerable. This is an outstanding piece of film which works well and is never overdone, which is a great strenght for me. The film is a contender for the best picture race but may be a bit behind. I see Scott, Washington and Crowe as contenders but ultimately falling short. I find that it was a better film than The Departed. As for this year, it stands near Into the Wild as the best so far, which is very early. I liked Into the Wild better but i found that "gangster" worked better. The film has a near perfect balance throughout.

Grade: A-