Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Ted Levine, Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which demand to be seen like Ted Levine. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Levine has made great movies. Whether it’s psychotic serial killers, police officers or cruel gangsters, Levine has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Levine’s finest strength as an actor has often been his powerful screen presence. He is one of those rare actors which has often had an aptitude for stealing the show in small roles with limited screen-time. Even when he’s not the main focus of a movie, Levine has left a lasting impression. Through his ability to craft compelling characters which audiences easily relate to, Levine has been a celebrated actor which audiences value. Although he is known for a role in “The Silence of the Lambs”, Levine has suggested he can succeed in every genre. Throughout his strong career, Levine has made several movies which are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Levine and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “American Gangster” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Ridley Scott’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best gangster films ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Ted Levine, who embodies a police sheriff that seeks to apprehend a notorious gangster. Ultimately, what makes “American Gangster” a crime classic is universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing mob masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “American Gangster” is a movie definitely worth watching.
Based on a true story, “American Gangster” tells the story of an American gangster that faced adversity in history. Denzel Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a notorious gangster whose mere presence inspires fear in America. Frank has always gotten away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. However, Frank’s life forever changes when he is put on the trail of a bold police officer. Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is a dedicated police officer in a position of power which seeks to apprehend criminals committing murder. An investigative team of detectives which is led by Lou Toback (Ted Levine) is determined to apprehend Frank for crimes he has committed. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Frank begins to wonder whether it is truly possible for him to be a successful gangster.
Ridley Scott is a newcomer towards stories of gangsters. Before he had directed “American Gangster”, Scott had never made a film about gangsters facing danger. It was the director’s first attempt to honour true story of a gangster in American history but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Scott captures a gangster embarking upon a journey to commit crimes in a doomed city. Taking inspiration in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Scott expertly uses tracking shots to capture hardships that gangsters are enduring. For instance, tracking shots enhance the murder scene. During this memorable scene, Frank commits murders in a doomed city. Through powerful tracking shots, Scott creates a portrait of gangsters which is compelling. Tracking shots are tricky to use in movies. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” suggested, tracking shots elevate commemorated movies about robberies of banks. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Scott caprices the tensions that commemorated American gangsters are facing.
Another strong aspect of “American Gangster” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Scott effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of American gangsters that are in positions of power. Throughout the film, Frank’s costumes showcase his strong position as a strong American gangster. For instance, costumes elevate the gangster meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Frank has an intense meeting with gangsters facing tragedy. Through phenomenal costumes, Scott creates a gangster that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Marc Streitenfeld’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that gangsters in America bear. Using phenomenal production-design, Scott captures the lives of gangsters facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “American Gangster” is a movie that is truly compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses parallel storytelling to capture the tension gangsters in America are facing. The film deftly switches back and forth between two distinct stories: scenes of Frank’s gangster business and Richie’s profession as a police officer. Through this ingenious parallel structure, Scott creates a portrait of gangsters that’s relatable. Parallel storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Scott Z. Burns’ “The Report” demonstrated, parallel stories elevate commemorated movies about torture reports. Andrew Dominik’s “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” claimed parallel storytelling elevates commemorated westerns. Nevertheless, it works immensely well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Scott captures lives of commemorated gangsters that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ted Levine delivers one of his greatest career performances as Lou Toback. Levine earned appreciation for serial killers in crime dramas. With “American Gangster”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play an American gangster facing adversities but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: charming, emotional and riveting in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and resentments of a cop seeking to apprehend a gangster in American history. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ted Levine, the supporting cast is fantastic and also worthy of appreciation. Russell Crowe is remarkable, capturing the sorrow of a police officer that seeks to catch a commemorated gangster that has planned murder years ago. Denzel Washington is dazzling, capturing the determination of an iconic gangster engaging in a reprehensible life of crime that incites tension. Lastly, Cuba Gooding Jr. merits recognition. As a cruel gangster, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “American Gangster” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of gangsters facing tension. Unlike most commemorated movies about gangsters, the film tackles bold themes everyone will relate to. It discusses powerful themes such as identity, grief and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of gangs in America to appreciate it. Therefore, “American Gangster” is one of those rare commemorated gangster films everyone would adore.
Fans of Ted Levine wil definitely appreciate “American Gangster” and so will audiences seeking riveting entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours an American actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about a notorious American gangster that committed gruesome murder, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a charismatic nature that has portrayed compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences commonly treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 