"American Gangs" has a great American background in the Vietnam War, but also a specific gang environment. The death of a generation boss is the beginning of a new era. The group of dragons has no leader, each fighting each other. If it is no different from what others do, then even if you have the ability and hard work, the difference is only a certain degree of pros and cons, rather than an essential difference. If you want to lead the coquettish and become a new generation of situation controllers, you have to find a different way, and have enough vision and courage. Someone came out. He took advantage of the relationship between the military and opened up an air corridor from the drug production area to the United States. This person is Frank Lucas, the protagonist of the film. Under the cover of war, many things have become subtle, and are no longer simple and clear black and white.
Frank Lucas was once the driver and confidant of the "Old Godfather". He has been taught by his words and deeds, and he has preserved the traditions of the older generation, as well as his own courage and shrewdness. One of the most powerful is his business acumen. He thought of purchasing from the place of origin, reducing costs and improving quality at the same time. He uses his family, relatives and friends to organize a tight and effective sales network, and also creates an exclusive brand effect. When all this is put into operation under supervision, all you have to do is to wait for the money to be collected.
Such a bold, careful and foresighted character is very playful. It is great to have Denzel Washington play, and this is not the first time he has played a "bad guy". In "Training Day", there are some obvious "bandits", but in "American Gangs", the image does not need to be changed. Because apart from his illegal gang business, his own image is still quite easy for people to identify with. In addition to the advantages mentioned above, he is always deliberately cautious and low-key. He is really an extraordinary character.
As far as the drama is concerned, the usual low-key is prepared for the outbreak of certain moments. Sudden contrast and contrast increase the unpredictability of the characters. With the familiarity with the "unpredictable" during the viewing of the movie, the characters become plump, and the dramatic conflicts brought about also play a role in regulating the rhythm of the film. . In the film, shooting the provocative opponent and teaching the brothers are very direct and violent. In contrast, I prefer the scene of burning fur coats. Because it was a gift from his wife, Frank broke his usual style and wore a leather jacket to watch a boxing match, which attracted the attention of the police (this is also a very important process point in the whole movie). When burning the leather jacket, I didn't have the slightest hesitation or scruples, but I blamed and dissatisfied myself for an occasional impulse.
The relationship between Frank and his wife followed the old path of "sweet first and then split", so I won't say more about it. It is worth talking about the relationship and attitude of the family. The gang bosses in many movies like to talk about things like "serving for the family and safeguarding the interests of the family". In "American Gangster", Frank brought the entire family into his career, because he personally changed the life of the entire family and had a profound impact on it. One of his nephews was specifically mentioned in the film. He liked and was good at playing baseball. After following him for a period of time, he had no interest in baseball and didn’t want to be in the Yankees at all. Instead, he focused on Frank. Set an example and become such a glorious person. Frank was speechless in this regard. He couldn't just teach him right and wrong, let alone change his body shape to set a new example. Because of his relationship, a person's concept and future are changed. Compared with the dependence of the family's livelihood, such a burden is heavier and more difficult to bear or dissolve.
If Frank is like ice, then Officer Kee Roberts is on fire. The special thing about Rich is that he is famous for not collecting black money and turning over the stolen money, and therefore became Frank's direct opponent. The one who plays Rich is also a big card, Russell Crowe. Compared with the gang boss, the role of the justice police is much thinner. Although, family issues, career issues, faith issues, clues, and other issues, there are many issues to shape his image and personality. But these are just like labels that have been affixed. They have only narratives, no content, and cannot be fully expanded, and there is no freshness and richness that can be obtained by the final reorganization after the expansion. I personally find this role very unattractive. The main general is like this, and those under him are even more insignificant, and the entire special team does not appear "special". (I suddenly thought of "Iron Faced Selflessness". The four members of the special group in it are all exciting and moving. None of these people has spread the description, just the character plus the deeds, and they have a feeling of anger. Although there are two parts The focus of the movie police and criminals is different, but the character’s expressiveness is very poor.) The
characters are not glamorous, another reason may be the lack of direct and truly fierce collision and confrontation between the two most important opposing characters. One is the black boss who has been hiding and is devoted to business, and the other is the little policeman who is looking for clues in the adversity. Those who really talked directly with the two sides still had more bad policemen. The existence of bad police who collect black money is, on the one hand, a label of that particular era, and on the other hand, it also provides the possibility for the final cooperation between the gang boss and the justice police.
"American Gangs", of course, is based on the stories of the gangs, and the gangs are more exciting.
View more about American Gangster reviews
