American Gangster

American Gangster has all the ingredients of an Oscar contender, but ultimately falls short of greatness.

The true story of Harlem 1970’s crime boss Frank Lucas and narcotics Detective Richie Roberts feels like a concoction of New York crime dramas. It’s a tad French Connection, plenty of The Godfather and a whole lot of Serpico. But Ridley Scott’s American Gangster can’t hold a candle to the many films it draws inspiration from. It is great entertainment, but lacks the muscle...