A must-watch gangster flick featuring two Oscar-winning stars is set to hit the small screen tonight.
The gritty crime saga ‘American Gangster’, inspired by real events, will be broadcast for no charge this Saturday, January 18. The film kicks off at 9pm on channel 5* and viewers are advised to catch it live as, at present, it’s not up for grabs on any streaming services as part of a subscription package.
Nevertheless, you can rent it starting from £3.49 on various digital platforms such as Amazon Video and Sky Store. Released in 2007, ‘American Gangster’ loosely chronicles the notorious life and times of Frank Lucas, a North Carolina mobster who notoriously smuggled heroin into the US using the coffins of fallen soldiers aboard American service planes returning from the Vietnam War.
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The plot traces his ascent from being the trusted lieutenant of Harlem mafia kingpin Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson to his rise in the narcotics business after Johnson’s demise, reports Surrey Live. Frank finds himself in the crosshairs of Detective Richie Roberts, who is hell-bent on dismantling his empire. Meanwhile, Roberts faces alienation from some peers for turning in nearly $1 million found in a gangster’s car.
Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner for his roles in Glory and Training Day, stars as Frank Lucas in the hit film. He’s joined by fellow Academy Award recipient Russell Crowe, celebrated for Gladiator, who plays Detective Richie Roberts who in real life would go on to be a criminal defence lawyer. The movie, directed by the legendary Ridley Scott, raked in nearly $200 million at the box office.
Critics lauded American Gangster upon its release, and it’s frequently hailed as one of the top gangster flicks ever, rubbing shoulders with classics like Goodfellas and The Godfather. Many fans have expressed their admiration online, with one commenting: “One of best of gangster movies ever and one of Ridley Scott masterpieces.”
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The lead performances by the acclaimed actors have also been a focal point of praise from audiences, with some suggesting it stands out as a career peak for both Crowe and Washington. A fan remarked: “Best Denzel Washington movie by a country mile. Outstanding performance. Chuck in Russell Crowe at the very top of his game. Finally a brilliant true story. Mix it all together and Bingo a CLASSIC! “.
Another chimed in with high praise, saying: “Simply amazing. An essential gangster/mafia movie to watch and also packed with culture both surrounding it like Jay-Z making an entire album about it. Also having cultural icons such as RZA, Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, Cuba Gooding Jr, Josh Brolin, Idris Elba and T.I. Phenomenal characters plus great acting plus a compelling story.
“I mean – what else could you want? At that point the only thing that could happen to make it better would be having Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino work on this! This movie definitely falls under the iconic category, no doubt about it.”
American Gangster is on 5* at 9pm, Saturday January 18
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