Movie Theater Review - American Gangster - 3.5 stars

solid drama about frank lucas (denzel washington), real life criminal who took over the drug trade in harlem in the late 60's, early 70's, and was tracked down and convicted by a cop (played by russell crowe).

good roles for both washington and crowe. excellent period soundtrack, well acted and directed.

a bit unoriginal in that i've seen the charismatic criminal rise to fortune and fame and then have a downfall (scarface).

would be curious to see how many details were embellished, in particular whether heroin was really smuggled in with the help of the u.s. army.