IMDb > American Gangster (2007)
American Gangster
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American Gangster (2007) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 104 | slideshow) Videos (see all 30)
American Gangster (2007) -- American Gangster Trailer
American Gangster (2007) -- Clip: Frank lectures Huey about being too flashy
American Gangster (2007) -- Interview: Ridley Scott "On the contrast between the two characters"
American Gangster (2007) -- In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East.
American Gangster (2007) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   103,375 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Steven Zaillian (written by)
Mark Jacobson (article)
Contact:
View company contact information for American Gangster on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 November 2007 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
There are two sides to the American dream.
Plot:
In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 28 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(244 articles)
The Wire: taking sociology forwards? | Steve Busfield
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 27 November 2009, 7:19 AM, PST)

10 closest Oscar races in the past 20 years
 (From Gold Derby. 23 November 2009, 1:12 PM, PST)

User Comments:
"My Man" more (402 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Return of Superfly (USA) (working title)
Tru Blu (USA) (original script title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for violence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality.
Runtime:
157 min | USA:176 min (unrated version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The story was first inspired by an article in New York Magazine written by Mark Jacobson. He was introduced to the real Frank Lucas by author Nicholas Pileggi. Not long afterwards, Pileggi encouraged Steven Zaillian to write an adaptation of Jacobson's article. While Zaillian was working on this, producer Brian Grazer bought the rights to the project. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In some scenes when snow is falling, the broad-leaf trees in the background have green (summer) leaves. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Bumpy Johnson: Happy Thanksgiving!
more
Soundtrack:
Railroad more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
What are the songs in the trailer(s)?
What are the differences between the theatrical version and the extended cut?
more
239 out of 326 people found the following comment useful.
"My Man", 28 October 2007
9/10
Author: ElijahCSkuggs from Happy Land, who lives in a Gumdrop House on Lolly Pop Lane

Ridley Scott's new flick American Gangster was a good one. Though Im not gonna be saying it's the best film of the year or anything like that. It was directed well, barely any dull scenes, great acting by an enormous cast and was really well-written. Unfortunately the story never seemed "new" to me. I was reminded of other drug-related/crime movies, like BLOW, CITY OF GOD, and evening TRAINING DAY....."My Man". Though it's in the leagues as being entertaining as the above mentioned movies, it really just never felt like I was watching a "new" story. But speaking of story, I never knew anything about Frank Lucas, and his story is fantastic. A black man who was more influential than his Mafian brethren? Tell me you're kidding. Nope, he was a force in Harlem back in the late 60s and early 70s and barely anyone knows about it. But for me this area of the film was the only stand out part. Sure there are other good scenes, done well, but nothing worth mentioning. Well, scratch that, naked women workin in a drug lab was an eye-opening scene.

Denzel Washington won the Oscar when he portrayed the crooked cop in Training Day who said "My Man" all the time. Well, in the American Gangster you got him saying this line again, and by God does he have it down. There are scenes when you know he's gonna say it, and he still pulls it off incredibly well. Denzel is one actor you really never have to worry about it in the acting department. You've got Russell "Mr. Oscar" Crowe playing the other lead, and like always, he always has the character down. He was great in this flick, the accent, the mannerisms, all of it. Though, his character's story was interesting in that he was in charge of the case to figure out who the big boy druglords were, his side story with his wife was for me the "dull" parts of the film. They were well-acted and all that, but mostly, it was just character development that isn't needed. Russell Crowe's good enough an actor to portray a struggling cop without a family problem. And also let me say Josh Brolin as the crooked cop was great. I didn't need a side-story of him doing tons of drugs and banging prostitutes....but ya know he was doing it.

American Gangster was a really good flick. It had amazing acting mixed with scenes that shed a new light on drug-trafficking....or should I say Old light. Though since there are so many other drug/crime cop films out there it seems a little been there done that. But don't let that sway you if you enjoy good movies and or crime films. And also, Frank Lucas is one hell of an interesting personality. My man. 8.5 outta 10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American Gangster (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Greatest scene of all time(one of) leobourne
Should have been called American Snitch jlkonandreas
Who would you cast if this film was actually made in the '70s? eight_days
Crowe's partner at the film's beginning kpd0943
Different ending on Dvd???? Clarify please leobourne
Plot hole? Jester1981
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