 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Gangster
- Review Date: February 18, 2008
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Violent, drug-fueled drama isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this based-on-a-true story drama about a brutal 1970s gangster isn't for kids. He commits extremely violent acts, which are depicted explicitly (often with guns) and accompanied by blood, wounds, and groaning. And since the plot focuses on heroin smuggling and dealing, there are many shots of junkies and drug use (including needles in arms, cocaine being snorted, and more). Sexual content includes scenes with prostitutes, kissing, bare breasts, and cleavage, and there's plenty of language, including almost 100 uses of "f--k."
What's the story?
Based on a true story and set in the mid-70s, AMERICAN GANGSTER centers on NYC heroin kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), an upright-to-a-fault detective intent on putting the ruthless gangster behind bars. Frank and Richie's relationship is complicated throughout the film; they're opposite but also linked. Both their self-images are grand: Frank rules NYC's drug underworld, and Richie turns in $1 million worth of drug money rather than keep it for himself. But while Frank surrounds himself with devoted family members, Richie is alone, rejected by his wife (Carla Gugino) and his fellow cops, who call him out as a "boy scout." Ambitious and politically astute, Frank sees his success as a representation of black progress. Richie's path is less sensational, more movie-style earnest. He and his hardworking undercover crew discover Frank's business precisely because Richie isn't as racist as his superiors, who don't believe that a black man could outscore the Italian mafia at their own game.
Is it any good?
The problem at the center of Ridley Scott's film is that as much as the movie loves Frank's intelligence and charisma, it must also condemn his brutality and criminality. The movie's solution is typical: It pits Frank against worse villains and puts him on a parallel track with a familiar hero.
Still, as the film scrambles to its end (the last half hour moves very quickly), the two develop a mutual respect. In part, this is a function of Richie's liberal bent. He'll not only arrest a black man, he'll also work with him ... to build cases against a lot of other bad guys. And so they share a sort of moral code after all, premised on their recognition of racial equality. As corny as this relationship may be, it returns again to the movie's central problem: It loves Frank and has to hate him.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether the movie glamorizes criminal behavior. How is Frank both villainous and attractive? How does the film compare and contrast him to Richie, who's upright on the job but not a good husband? Families can also discuss the fact that the movie is based on a true story. How accurate do you think it is? Why do filmmakers sometimes tweak the facts when they're making biopics or movies based on actual events?
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AGE
good gangster movie
this movie is a one time see movie but it is a good movie 16 and over foe violence lots of nudity and language
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AGE
Good, but NOT child friendly!
This is a pretty deep and disturbing movie and I can't figure why anyone would let someone underage watch it. This does have it's place with other gangster flicks, but not child friendly due to all the sex, violence, language, drugs etc.
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AGE
Decent Mob film, but way too explicit.
Great Plot! Excellent Execution! But not for kids. The violence isn't over the top, but there is a lot of very graphic nudity. Sometimes portrayed sexually, sometimes not. The biggest issues are the drugs. There are literally drugs everywhere.
It was very well done, but NOT FOR KIDS.
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AGE
uhhh
i didn't really see the movie but if i do my parents would see it first and tell me what parts i coudn't see or if i could see it at all
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AGE
Way too long
The movie wasn't exactly innapropriate, I marked it as innapropriate because I definately dont think kids my age would enjoy it. It was WAY too long and was not very entertaining. I totally understood the plot and main points of the movie, and even though it wasn't a bad movie, I would not sit through it again.
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AGE
TOO EXPLICIT!
This movie was only good due to the fact that it is based on a true story. It is exciting to someone who loves a ton of shooting and killing/action movies. However somethings were un-needed and too explicit for any age I believe.
VIOLENCE: A man is burned alive in the beginning scene, people "shoot-up" drugs throughout the movie, lots of blood not only from self abuse but others. children neglected because parents are drug addicts and passed out or high. Tons of killings with lots of blood splatter.
SEX: About 7 to 8 scenes of 3 to 12 naked women processing drugs. Breasts and nipples visible. 4 FULLY naked women in several scenes, however the genitals are a little blurred, it is still very explicit. Another scene when a man is massaged, 3 breast baring women are shown in the room (nipple visible, but wearing thongs) Lots of women dressed in tight clothing and dancing provocatively. Rowdy sexual situation in a kitchen, nothing explicit.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Ridley Scott |
| Cast: | Chiwetel Ejiofor, Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 157 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 1, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | February 19, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence, pervasive drug conviolence, pervasive drug content and language, nudity and sexuality. |
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