Regina

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American Gangster is a fascinating character study of two complex, flawed but extraordinary men. In a way, Denzel Washington's Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe's Richie Roberts are opposite reflections of each other. Lucas enjoys a meteoric rise from modest ranks in a crime syndicate to phenomenal power and wealth as a daring drug lord. At the same time, he treasures his family and prizes social respectability. Roberts is a police officer who places honesty and justice above all else. Ironically, this causes him to lose the respect and trust of his fellow officers and to jeopardize his future. At the same time, he is a hopeless womanizer and a failure as a husband and father. Ridley Scott beautifully recreates the era during which the depicted events occurred. Despite its length, the film moves quickly and keeps you fully immersed in its world. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe perform at the level of excellence that's come to be expected of them. Although they don't have many scenes together, it's fun to watch them play off each other when they do finally meet up.

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