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 NEW)
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) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   102,573 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ridley Scott
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:
Crime | Drama more
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:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 28 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(232 articles)
Angelina Jolie’s “Salt” Teaser Trailer
 (From Filmofilia. 4 November 2009, 3:00 PM, PST)

International “Salt” Trailer
 (From Filmofilia. 4 November 2009, 2:06 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A Solid Film 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:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital
Certification:
UK:18 | Netherlands:16 | Germany:16 | Ireland:16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #43495) | Finland:K-15 | Taiwan:R-18 (original rating) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Japan:R-15 | France:U (with warning) | Hong Kong:IIB | Malaysia:18PL | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:16 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Brazil:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Spain:18 | Peru:14 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Australia:MA | Iceland:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After Terry George's screenplay was turned down, Steven Zaillian was re-hired to write another draft of his own screenplay. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the scene set in 1968 where Frank prepares to call his cousin in Bangkok for the first time, an Internet URL is clearly seen on a billboard across the street. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Bumpy Johnson: Happy Thanksgiving!
more
Movie Connections:
References The French Connection (1971) more
Soundtrack:
Across 110th Street more

FAQ

Why does Frank burn the Coat Eva gave him in the scene right after he gets married?
What are the songs in the trailer(s)?
What are the differences between the theatrical version and the extended cut?
more
15 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
A Solid Film, 18 February 2008
8/10
Author: alexkolokotronis from Queens, New York

Unfortunately from listening to everyone else I was expecting some sort of masterpiece. That is not what I believe what I got. Yet it was still a very good movie.

The acting performances were also good but not great. Denzel Washington gave a very good performance but not Oscar worthy, it felt like I have seen this before from him. Russell Crowe just was not given the room to actually act. I wish Crowe would have been given more of an opportunity to show off his talent. Josh Brolin gave the best performance as a corrupt police officer. He displayed perfectly the corrupt cop blackmailing both sides for the benefit of himself. I do not really understand the Oscar nomination for Ruby Dee playing Frank Lucas mother. She barley even had a cameo in this movie. It is kind of sad to see how far Cuba Gooding Jr. has fallen not having much of a role in this movie.

What really kept this movie up and kind of brought it down was its steady flow and writing. It did show you some interesting things such as going to Vietnam and having a very unique and surprising place to smuggle in the drugs. Yet as I mentioned before the performances were good but not great because of the writing. I attribute this to the writing. Some of the writing did not allow some of the actors to expand as much as they could have on their roles.

Also the directing was very good but not great. Ridley Scott did show some interesting scenes and had good camera shot. The cinematography was good as well. Yet because the performances were not to great that brings him down because his job to guide arguably two of the best actors today.

This movie was a bit over-hyped but I would still recommend it. This probably could have received more recognition from the Oscars though.

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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
Plot hole? Jester1981
Who would you cast if this film was actually made in the '70s? eight_days
Just saw the movie (finally) and very disappointed route3
Who played... mommygirlgc
Greatest scene of all time(one of) leobourne
Different ending on Dvd???? Clarify please leobourne
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