Loved it. I like true stories, and all the actors were well cast.

While it is not the classic it is being hailed as being, it is a tremendous accomplishment that has Oscar written all over Denzel Washington's powerhouse of a performance.

With a top notch cast, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr, Armand Assante, Josh Brolin and Ruby Dee as Lucas' mother, combined with glorious production and costume design and lavish cinematography, this is a seductive thriller that grabs the attention from the beginning, ultimately providing the stage for Washington to give a master class in acting. While Crowe's character is more subdued, Washington gets to really flex his skills, going from a mild mannered family man to vicious thug with ease.

A flaw within the film was that the sense of irony wasn't played out to its potential. It is based on the true story of how one of the biggest drug lords ultimately sides with the police and helps bring down a major corruption ring within their forces. Detective Roberts then became the defence lawyer for Lucas, and still is today, and he is also Godfather to Lucas' child. While these points were briefly mentioned at the end of the film, bringing them into the story more would have provided a satirical viewpoint and the brothers in arms scenario would have been a better dramatic piece.

However, a small grievance as this is a compelling and gritty drama that tells a captivating story of intrigue and corruption, masterfully handled by Ridley Scott.

Didn't like this film. Mainly because it was overlong and brought absolutely nothing to the table. In fact, it was more like a hotch potch of other films thrown together, cliche after cliche.
Of course Crowe was the only good cop in the village. Of course he was so dedicated to his work that he 'sacrificed' his family life. Sure he was down on his luck, going through a divorce, drank too much, had every excuse to take the money - but still wouldn't.
Washinton's character also, despite being a real life figure, somehow managed to fit himself nicely into the shape of a bad guy that we all know so well. So many contradictions too - someone who wouldn't wear a loud coat for fear of drawing attention to himself, strangely didn't mind shooting someone in the head, in broad daylight, in the middle of a crowded street. I could go on and on, but suffice to say that the film just plodded on without anything really happening, well anything vaguely original anyway. Even the music was lazy in it's choice. When it ended in a whimper, it was exactly like how I envisaged it would end. I kind of wondered why I bothered sitting there at al. I found it a long, very unengaging couple of hours.
Crowe and washington have done much better, and SCott looked well out of his comfort zone. I enjoyed Josh Brolin in it as light relief, but I wouldn't recommend this one.

If you liked Josh Brolin in this (American Gangster) do yourself a favour and go see him in "No country for old men"...smokin !!

My husband wanted to see this film for ages, but when he watched it he was really disapointed.

thot twas alrite

liked the street bit where he jus popped a cap in that guys hed n then wen bak 2 his family n finished his meal


quality stuff


endin was good 2

jus standin there ....reflectin on his imprisonment wen he got out ...makes u tink....was it all worth it....in hindsite wud he hav done wat he done if he knew where the end result wud b

I thought the film was good, nothing special. The worst part was how long it ran for. After a while I was wondering why it still hadn't finished.