American Gangster (2007) - 11th Post

American Gangster (2007)

Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian
Director: Ridley Scott

American Gangster captures the essence of film ideology by detailing the story of an African American drug dealer in the 1970’s. Frank Lucas’ perception on the world is that he’s wealthy in a “white man’s world.” Based on a true story, Lucas’ life story begins from the death of his father figure/boss, Bumpy. From that point on Lucas has full control of his drug organization. In a different world, we meet DEA officer soon to be prosecutor, Detective Richie Roberts. As he tries to crack down on a major underground drug organization, not knowing Lucas is the head of the organization, does his best to locate where the cocaine is being transported. Lucas does everything in his power to sell quality drugs into the United States; most of it is deported from Vietnam. Lucas promises to sell pure drugs in order to profit and price his stuff as the best on the streets. He decides to name his priceless coke as, “Blue Magic.”

Lucas hires a professional junkie and science geek to prove that his Vietnam importation is the best drug on the street. Lucas’ entire ideology is to live a low profile life as a drug dealer without being too flashy. His goal was to distract any attention from himself, therefore Lucas made sure he paid people a lucrative amount for services they provided for him. Lucas wasn’t a Scarface because his life was actually a real story. The film expressed that in order to be a successful drug dealer for the time being, you must look like the average man but still invest in businesses to disguise the dirty money received behind closed doors.

As the film goes on, Lucas’s life progresses fairly well. He includes his brother and cousins into his businesses. Lucas buys his mother a beautiful, big house down in North Carolina. He even meets a beautiful, young Puerto Rican woman and marries her. Lucas is living the American dream through his own means and he’s maintained a life of not the average gangster. Lucas attends a Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fight wearing a loud Chinchilla coat and hat. Roberts is present at the fight and takes a picture of him at the fight. Lucas attire made him a wanted man and since then Roberts was hot on Lucas’ trail. Month by month, Lucas’ organization falters and he’s finally caught. He faces life imprisonment but Lucas takes the high rode and gives up everyone he’s worked for including when he first started selling drugs. His world comes crashing down before him but Lucas decides not to late it take hold of his life. Lucas’ cooperation led him to getting a reduced sentence of fifteen years. At the end, Lucas finally leaves prison to a new world and new look on life. Compared to another prominent film on drug dealers such as Scarface, American Gangster gave a real glimpse into the way a drug dealer would compose himself without making a mockery of his true colors.