Fafhrd on 7/7/2009 at 01:49
I'd argue that the procedural investigation/business focused nature of American Gangster, as well as splitting the focus between Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts (as opposed to it being entirely about Lucas's rise and inevitable, hubris-fuelled fall, or entirely about Roberts doggedly pursuing the faceless drug kingpin in the face of impossible odds) raises it a notch or two above a 'by the numbers' crime flick. Add in a really excellent supporting cast (Josh fucking Brolin! Ejiofor, Levine, Joe Morton, John 'Sol Starr' Hawkes!) and it's probably the most underrated film of 2007. It's no more than the sum of its parts, but its parts are really, really good.
Had it come out any other year, it would have been much more highly regarded, but nothing could really compare favourably with NCFoM or TWBB.
And it's a better movie than Public Enemies.
Angel Dust on 7/7/2009 at 03:04
I agree with Scots on this one. I found American Gangster to be a relentlessly mediocre and dull film. It was well made but very workmanlike and devoid of any kind of spark. Not a terrible film by any means but it should have been much better given the people involved and it's starting to look more and more like Public Enemies is going to be a similar experience.
