Real life stories filled with excitement, adventure and bone chilling events are rare in the colourful world of Hollywood, however, “American Gangster” cemented in my mind as an amazing biographical crime film in 2007 when it became a hit around the world.
Heroin
It is based on a larger than life true characters on the two sides of American society. Following the death of his employer and mentor, a young black man Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan.
He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and comes up with a clever way of importing the drugs into the United States.
Providing a superior product
to what is currently available on the street on a lower price, Frank Lucas becomes powerful, rich and his alliance with the New York mafia ensures his position as the drug kingpin.
Following his trail, is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the federal Government.
Detective
This famous movie was made after consulting the real-life heroin importer Frank Lucas and the man who put him behind bars, detective Richie Roberts who later became an assistant District Attorney in the Essex Country Prosecutor’s Office.
Famed director Antoine Fuqua was originally set to direct this project in 2004 with Denzel Washington and Benicio Del Toro in main roles but production was halted one month before shooting after Universal Pictures canceled the film over budget concerns.
Once this project was approved by Universal a second time, under Ridley Scott’s direction, Washington returned to the project to deliver an unforgettable performance.
It was highlighted mentioned in media that Australian actor Russell Crowe requested tape recordings of Detective Richie Roberts speaking to match his voice mannerisms accurately.
Criminal
The basis of the story was a 2000 New York Magazine article written by Mark Jacobson. Author Nicholas Pileggi who knew the real criminal ‘Frank Lucas’ had introduced him to Jacobson. That brought the attention of Brian Grazer who bought the rights on the spot after meeting three of them with Richie Roberts in Los Angeles.
According to Ridley Scott, who was the director of Academy Award winning ‘Gladiator’, this was one of the most grueling shoots of his career, integrating 360 scenes over 180 separate locations. Filming on-location in the Chiang Mai province of Thailand, Director Ridley Scott hired many extras from the local villages, some of whom were actual participants in the drug-running operation of Frank Lucas during the Vietnam War. American Gangster is a fascinating movie to watch, providing an insight in to the harsh lives of undercover detectives and police officers during the time of Vietnam War, and their life and death struggle against the drug-war.
Awards
Nominated for more than 20 various awards including Academy awards Golden Globe and BAFTA, the movie is a must-see feature. Grossed over US$266.5 million worldwide, fans consider that this movie delivers both Denzel Washington’s as well as Russell Crowe’s top ten performances.