YourHub.com \\ Briargate \\ Blogs \\ Arts & Entertainment \\ Film

Blog Entry 1 of 3 Elizabeth: Golden Age - Not so golden

In anticipation of the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age, I arrived early at the first showing on Friday at noon. I should've slept in.

Blog Url: http://coloradosprings.yourhub.com/~KathartiK

American Gangsters - Thumbs Up!

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

Contributed by: Karin McGuire on 11/15/2007

A few weeks before American Gangsters came on the scene I viewed a documentary about the life of Frank Lucas. I knew this film was based on Lucas' rise and fall (albeit a plea deal with the feds sparing him from life in prison), but I didn't know Denzel Washington would live in this part so well. Washington has amazed fans throughout his career and I halfway expected a replay of Training Day, but Washington portrays Lucas with the shrewd financial and business dealings that led to Lucas' million-a-day heroin trade.
Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is credited with bringing down Lucas' empire, but the screenplay varies a little here and takes license by adding a few members to Roberts' team.
The only crack in Lucas' impenetrable, yet low-key presence comes in the form of his wife Eva, played by Lymari Nadal. It is evident Lucas and his wife like the monied life, but Lucas lives it low-key and somehow feels this leaves him under the radar, unlike his flashy competition Nicky Barnes, played by Cuba Gooding.
There is a little too much in Richie Roberts that is a t.v. and film cliche, the cop going through a divorce, but I enjoyed this film a great deal. The nearly three hour run time was unnoticed because the pace is good in this film. You definitely will see what's up ahead, but Washington gives a performance that is moving. I definitely recommend this one is seen on the big screen.

Previous | Next: 'Back From the East - E...' >

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog