The director carefully chose the background of the Vietnam War, and everything reflected under this background has more meaning at the time. "Beat Generation", the young people of that era were confused, ignorant of the future, drug addicts, moral decay and legal weakness, coupled with the Vietnam War, it was the most helpless era in the United States after World War II.
This background is a great era, an era when "heroes" are born in large numbers, and the level of gangsters is no exception. Frank Lucas is exactly the hero that emerged in such an era. Although he came from a humble background, and the big guy he followed died violently, but the mark of the big guy emerged and reflected on his body all the time. Every time he imitated, every time he was "learning". He traffics and sells drugs, but never takes drugs. 85% of the time, he interacts with celebrities. He lives and lives in high-end villas. &Lincoln cars, beauty pageants, all these are covering up criminal drug dealings. In the last part of the film, the dialogue between Rich and Lucas is an explicit portrayal of this history. The drug trade killed the parents of thousands of children. This is the biggest murder. This kind of murder without blood on hands is the most chilling.
Many people think that the American Gangster movie is a bit lengthy or too "beautiful", but I think this is precisely the most beautiful part of the film. If it is dirtier, it will make the film lose its contrast and make every viewer think that Lucas’s everything is “deserved” without deeper thinking.
Denzel-Washington’s performance was indeed brilliant; Crow’s ruthless exit in this movie also left a profound impact on people. It's really a pity that I didn't win the prize.
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