Released in 2007 and directed by Ridley Scott, this (kinda) biographical film is exactly what I would be enthusiastic to see.  However, since I lived a life of relative isolation in the south of Thailand, I didn't even know of its existence until Netflix recommended it to me after watching the Drug Lords docu-series.  

<center> https://www.jposter.net/images/products/b5-amgangster.jpg
[source](https://www.jposter.net/images/products/b5-amgangster.jpg)</center> 

American Gangster tells two stories that are intertwined eventually.  One of Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington) who rises up in the ranks of organized crime and drug dealing in the late 60's and early 70's by purchasing large quantities of heroin in Thailand and using the US military planes returning from the Vietnam war thereby controlling the entire supply chain and negating the need for smugglers.  By using this method and paying extraordinary bribes to the military officials, he is able to acquire his supply for far less money than his competitors.  This results in him basically creating a monopoly in the industry.  

<center> https://themobmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/11-1-17-Denzel-Washington-in-American-Gangster.jpg
[source](https://themobmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/11-1-17-Denzel-Washington-in-American-Gangster.jpg)</center>

Frank is able to avoid detection because of two reasons:  He isn't a suspect because at that time it was unthinkable that a black man would be running this sort of empire because the Italian-controlled mob was in charge of pretty much everything and also because he meticulously maintains a low profile by way of not flaunting his wealth.  

Russel Crowe plays Detective Richie Roberts, an incorruptible member of the police force who is made head of a task force that is meant to be discovering and taking down drug lords in New York and New Jersey - It is kind of a precurser to the DEA.  Roberts experiences little success and isn't really even looking for Frank for most of the film because of the aforementioned reasons. 

<center> http://calitreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/100_33_american_gangster.jpg
[source](http://calitreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/100_33_american_gangster.jpg)</center> 

This movie is great because of the usual brutality of being involved in the drug game and also because at least in part, it is based on actual events.  I don't want to spoil the film for anyone out there that hasn't seen it, but just like in most films, you end up rooting for the "bad guys."  It is difficult to dislike Russel Crowe's character though, because he is a man of very dedicated principals.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV_nssS6Zkg

There are better gangster movies out there but this one is special to me and many others because it is based on a real story.  Frank is a real person and is still alive and kicking somewhere in the world although it is not clear where because he is in the witness protection program for reasons that at least in part are revealed in the film.  

If you are a dope like me and haven't seen this movie yet, you really aughta!  It made $160 million at the box office and yet somehow I was so far in the jungle that I never even knew it existed.  

<h3> <center> on a scale of "urgh!" to "Wowsers!"  I give American Gangster the score of .... </h3>
![tumblr_nvsv177bFA1uitzhdo1_400.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXqstT5KKpyL73oaAJXgiVP3t1d3yhtjiLzHZ9DpaVMyj/tumblr_nvsv177bFA1uitzhdo1_400.jpg) </center>