Summary

American Gangster is a 2007 crime drama set in the 1970s that tells the story of the Harlem kingpin, Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts, the police officer intent on bringing him down. Yet, the two share a common foe in the form of a group of corrupt drug dealing cops. People sometimes complain about the negativity of films featuring Black characters especially movies about slavery or crime. But as I’ve said before, the real issue is the monotony of these portrayals as we should be open to and demand movies that portray Black people in a myriad of ways rather than just rehashing the same tropes. Unlike many other films, American Gangster doesn’t just focus on the glitz and glam of being a crime boss but also touches on the real life consequences and drawbacks of the lifestyle.

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American Gangster feature image depicting Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts.

American Gangster [Movie Review]

Natasha

Natasha is a marketer by day and a voracious reader at all other times. She developed a passion for history and storytelling as a child and became increasingly interested in global Black nonfiction and literature as an adult.

Movie Reviews

crime drama drugs new york city war on drugs