American Gangster

A thoroughly satisfying movie. Convincing performances from Denzel Washington as the utterly competent drug lord and Russell Crowe as the solid, uncompromisingly honest cop. Both men are exceptionally good at what they do. The Washington character could win any number of entrepreneurial awards conducting a legitimate business. He corners the market on heroin by following a text book approach that would impress any MBA graduate. Sell a product that is better than your competitor’s at a fraction of the price. Crowe on the other hand is the text book honest cop. He gets into trouble with his colleagues for handing in a bag full of drug money (apparently the standard approach is to dish it out amongst your mates). A good story, well told and based on astonishing facts.