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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American Gangster
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Violent, drug-fueled drama isn't for kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–17
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About American Gangster
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."
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
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?
Our Members Say
See all 22 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Decent Mob film, but way too explicit.
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
OMG
This is probably the most tense, deep film in exsitence. If your bored you probably cant understand it. I thought it was very entertaining; definatly in my top 5.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
This movie is bring
Seriously, i love mob movies but i get a wierd feeling about this one. This movie is so boring.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
great.
great storyline. the violence is not much. there is a man that gets burned alive, people die. the drugs is the issue. there is drugs everywhere and junkies buying drugs and people dying from drugs. the sexual content is just some female top nudity. a movie for adults only
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Not very good at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie was very long and rather boring. There is a TUN of drug use and violance. There is some nudity and violance. I actually thought that it wasn't all that inipropriot but I think it would be ok for only for kids 15+
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
not for under restricted age
Kids ages 12 and 11 rating this movie appropriate for thier age is a sign of what is wrong with hollywood today. It's ridiculous to recommend American Gangster to a young audience. This movie is violent, filled with explict language and drug use, and graphic nudity. Roberts and Lucas, in all thier moral fault, are shown in a positive light and may be impressionable towards kids. Older teens and up. Depsite it's faults, this is a enthralling movie filled with perfect performances by crowe and washington.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Realistic picture of the heroin drug culture
This move very graphically portrays a drug cartel and drug use. There are an incredible amount of scenes that show people using heroin and they aren't prettied up for the camera. It also shows a great deal of the brutality of people in this trade. I applaud that they did not glamourize drug use/sales as so many films seem to. I would really only recommend this to teenage old/mature enough to handle intense scenes. Depending upon your child, it may be a good way to show them the reality of that lifestyle.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
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.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
it was great
i thought this was a great movie even though it's almost 3 hours.but it's pretty bad with language,lots and lots of drug content and nudity.but if you're 17 or older and you like crime dramas you're gonna have a fun time
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
American Gangster is a gritty look at life in New York as both cop and criminal. The material is not especially graphic. any mature 11 year old would be fine. there are images of people shooting up, shooting people, and swearing. Frank Lucas is an amazing buisnessman, and we could all learn from his shrewd negotiations and cold blooded ethic. peace
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
ooooooooookk
this movie was good just take out all the f- words and the drugs and nudity. the movie was good, well it did have some kind of historical happenings like the military helping drug dealers get "coke" AKA drugs. but is was OK!!
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Compelling crime drama
This movie kept my attention riveted the whole two plus hours. Not for younger teens-depicts the very seamy underside of drugs, corruption, organized crime. However, excellent movie for the appropriate audience.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
way too long to make the point
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Great flick, but not a kid pick!
Being a single mom, anything with Denzel is alright with me. For me, this movie surpassed even the eye candy factor & was an incredible film...for adults! My 10 year old son has been saying he wants to see it, but only because of the massive hype around it. The clips they show on the trailer are about the only parts of this movie that I would let him see! Way to much drugs, violence & complicated content to have to try to explain to a kid.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
A must see
My friend and I went to see this film on Opening day, Friday 11/2/07@ 12:15PM show in our small city of Waco,Texas at the Star Plex Galaxy 16. The film was excellent and Mr.Washington and Crowe were outstanding as usual. But what I did not like and feel it was the theatre was the microphone dropping down over Mr. Washington and Armad Asante' during their first and second meeting. From the middle until almost the end of the movie,we saw the microphone. Then after Lucas was sentenced,and where the captions appear at the bottom of the film was not always visable,just partially. This was poor film quality,and I know these High Powered actors,producers and directors,would not have of this! I feel it was a boot leg film. It was shown on the largest seating screen theatre. Oh I did speak with the personnel at the theatre, and they gave me the excuse that it was sent to them like that. If so, something needs to be done about that. No they did not offer me a ticket to view the film on another screen,thus it was showing on 2 screens. I hope this message gets to Mr.Grazer,Scott,Washington and Crowe. ALL IN ALL I ENJOYED THE FILM,and will purchase it when it comes out on DVD.
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