As a seasoned observer of the criminal underworld, I must say that Frank Lucas, portrayed so brilliantly by Denzel Washington in “American Gangster,” is a fascinating study in ambition and cunning. His strategy of undercutting his competitors to monopolize the market is reminiscent of ruthless capitalists in the legitimate business world, albeit with a more sinister twist.
Under the guidance of director Ridley Scott, the movie titled American Gangster delves into the life story of Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington, a notorious criminal mastermind. Known for smuggling heroin from Asia to America using the coffins of deceased soldiers from the Vietnam War, Lucas was initially mentored by New York’s infamous black mob boss Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson. After assuming control over his organization, Lucas rose to become one of the wealthiest American gangsters in history. Throughout the film, Frank is pursued relentlessly by a task force headed by Newark detective Richie Richards, played by Russell Crowe.
Among Ridley Scott’s most acclaimed films, “American Gangster” excels in every aspect, avoiding unnecessary filmmaker indulgences and boasting a more concise script. The dialogue is particularly noteworthy, encompassing a range from thought-provoking insights to sharp one-liners, and offering practical business advice. As anticipated, Washington’s character was provided with the majority of the most substantial dialogue, but other characters also contribute frequently. Here are ten quotes from “American Gangster” that stand out among the rest.
10 “The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room.” – Frank
Similar to Vin Diesel, Frank Lucas values family deeply, integrating many of his relatives (most of whom came from humble backgrounds) into the operation to help where needed. This practice might be seen as nepotism in other circles, but in the underworld, such labels hold no weight. However, he does set expectations for their behavior. Therefore, when he spots his brother Huey sporting an extravagant suit, he becomes enraged and scolds him. From Huey’s perspective, it seems unnecessary to amass wealth if you can’t enjoy it.
The Authorities Are Watching
It’s justifiable for Frank to reprimand the boastful individual, as he’s aware that the authorities are constantly monitoring the streets, keeping an eye out for those who seem to have amassed wealth too swiftly. However, it’s worth noting that his criticism might carry a hint of hypocrisy, given that he later flaunts his wealth by sporting a Chinchilla coat at a Muhammad Ali boxing match. This extravagant attire, in fact, attracted the attention of the FBI in real life, directing their focus towards Frank.
The scene also appears to be inspired by one from Goodfellas where DeNiro’s character, Jimmy, calls out one of his men for buying expensive things after the Lufthansa Heist.
9 “That’s the way it is now. You can’t find the heart of anything to stick the knife.” – Bumpy
Prior to his passing, Bumpy shares deep feelings with Frank about how America appears to have dramatically transformed due to capitalism. The once common, family-owned stores are being replaced by large corporations, and new businesses seem to be springing up everywhere. Although Frank doesn’t share the same perspective, he concurs with his superior because of their loyalty.
Stuck in the Old Ways
Bumpy’s lament over not finding anything substantial to plunge a knife into symbolizes his diminished power and control as crime bosses face more competition in an increasingly complex America.
With an untroubled spirit of youthful audacity, I find myself at odds with Bumpy’s views. This disagreement fuels my wholehearted acceptance of America’s expansion and the clandestine capitalism within the criminal underworld, a path I choose once I assume control over the organization.
8 “Who is Frank Lucas? Who does he work for? Which family?” – US Attorney
Toward the middle of his rule, Frank transformed into a powerful figure, driving away income from American-Italian mafia groups and South American drug cartels. He then shared the profits with his local community. This intrigued Richie, who inquired about this situation to the U.S. Attorney. Since he was unaware of Frank’s existence, the U.S. Attorney humorously wondered who Frank was working for and which Mafia family he was associated with.
Breaking a Pattern
In contrast to his past counterpart Bumpy, it’s revealed that Frank has defied an established trend. Typically, law enforcement and prosecutors handle cases involving mafia or South American drug lords. Given that Frank is African-American, this background initially kept him out of the spotlight for a while. A subtle hint of bias and underestimation can also be observed in this scenario.
When Richie informs the U.S. Attorney that Frank is African-American instead of Italian, the latter doesn’t accept it. In fact, he asserts that no African-American has managed what the Italian-American mafia has achieved in a century. Following this, he dismisses Richie from the room.
7 “I’ll be right back!” – Frank Lucas
In one of my favorite movie moments, I, as Frank Lucas, am seated within a classic diner, discussing business fundamentals with my younger associates. I emphasize the values of truth, honor, dedication, and family before catching sight of my rival dealer, Tango, through the window, portrayed by the talented Idris Elba. Swiftly, I make an exit from the diner, stride outside, and confront Tango, demanding what is rightfully mine. When Tango attempts to display his toughness, I respond by ending the confrontation with a swift shot to his head, right there on the street.
Cool Level of Impunity
In the scene, Frank’s actions scream of untouchability, yet viewers find themselves unable to look away, captivated by his dominance. Shooting an adversary on the street, in full view of all, unequivocally demonstrates that this is a lawless individual who wields absolute power over his domain. Regardless of numerous witnesses, no one dares to challenge him.
But as much as the act leaves audiences slack-jawed, it also leaves them a little worried about Frank’s future. Great criminals work in the shadows, and by doing this, he is putting a target on his back for eager law enforcement officers like Richie to strike.
6 “You don’t take money for one reason. To buy being dishonest about everything else.” – Laurie
As Richie chases after Frank, he finds himself having to confront Laurie, his resentful ex-wife, who thinks that while he presents a high moral ground, he’s just as reprehensible as the criminals he detests. During one heated exchange, she accuses him of never using money from drug raids, but she points out that he was unfaithful and absent as a father. In her opinion, it would have been more honorable for him to take the money and be a dedicated family man instead.
Hard to Take Sides
Given their reputation as one of cinema’s least likable couples, it’s tough to side with either of them, yet Laurie makes a valid point. Richie believes he’s a decent person due to his relentless pursuit of underworld big fish, but he’s often neglected his family in return. He didn’t put much effort into alleviating his wife and child’s hardships; instead, he dedicated himself fully to his work. However, it can’t be denied that what he does is necessary. A corrupt cop’s fate is usually tragic, as portrayed by Denzel Washington’s character in the movie “Training Day”.
5 “Bumpy Johnson may have been rich, but he wasn’t white man rich. He wasn’t wealthy.” – Frank Lucas
In another speech about riches, Frank discusses the business strategies of his previous superior, Bumpy. He remembers how Bumpy managed his empire for over half a century, yet never amassed the kind of fortune that white people typically possess. Consequently, Frank pledges to become more influential, intelligent, and financially successful – a promise he swiftly fulfills.
Learning from Other People’s Mistakes
In keeping with his ambition, Frank earned significant recognition as he charted his own path and rose above the American mafia, amassing wealth surpassing many Fortune 500 companies. This was achieved by eliminating intermediaries and sourcing products directly from Asia, a move that remains debatable regarding its long-term impact. Despite his rule being relatively brief (spanning from late ’60s to early ’70s), it should be noted that Bumpy’s influence spanned an impressive five decades.
4 “If you leave now, there’s a chance my husband might not kill you – Eva
The normal procedure in law enforcement includes trying to persuade family members to disclose information, so later in the film, a member of the task force attempts to charm Frank’s wife, Eva, into divulging any hidden escape funds that Frank might have stashed (just in case things take a turn for the worse). However, she remains uncooperative. To make matters worse, she warns him to depart promptly if he wants to preserve his life.
Standing Up for Family
It’s understandable that Eva chooses not to cooperate, given that she prioritizes her family over everything else, especially since her husband has consistently been kind to those around him. Unlike Richie and his former spouse, Frank and Eva share a deep, reciprocal love. Eva acknowledges the wealth she enjoys is illegally obtained, but she admires her husband for being a provider and for creating a comfortable life for everyone around them. Exasperated, the task force member is compelled to withdraw, yet they eventually manage to have the final say.
3 “A leader, like a shepherd, he sends his fastest nimble sheep, out front. And the others will follow.” – Bumpy
In a memorable moment, Bumpy outlines to Frank his approach to management. For him, an effective leadership tactic is delegating crucial tasks to your most capable individuals. When others witness their diligence, they are motivated to work just as hard. This is why Bumpy chose Frank as one of his key lieutenants. He recognized the young gangster’s abilities, so he was always eager to utilize him to advance the organization.
Words From One of the World’s Greatest Leaders
The quote isn’t exactly original. It first appeared in Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. Obviously, Bumpy would never have said it since he died way before Mandela ever became popular, but the words still fit into his mouth. Like Mandela, he understood the best strategies that are likely to propel one to the top. Bumpy and Mandela might not share any ideologies, but they share traits that make them likable. These include ambition, courage, and leadership.
2 “I sell a product that’s better than the competition at a price that’s less than the competition.” – Frank Lucas
Frank’s approach proves beneficial for him. After importing products from Asia, he develops an enhanced version called Blue Magic and sells it in bulk to dealers across the New York Tri-State Area at a reduced price. This allows him to dominate the market and establish himself as the leading criminal figure in New York. Subsequently, he establishes legitimate businesses as well. At some point, his successful method leaves him so impressed that he decides to share it.
Undercutting 101
In simpler terms, the tactic that Frank is proud of isn’t quite fair. It’s more like a move to undermine others in the business world. Interestingly, even Dominic Cattano from the Lucchese crime family expresses concern about this to him during the movie. Cattano clarifies that the government prohibits a single dairy dealer from having a monopoly because it would lead to other dealers going bankrupt. However, Frank seems unconcerned. He argues he can never feel empathy for his competitors as no one ever considered him when he was struggling.
1 “The jails aren’t big enough.” – Frank Lucas
By the closing moments of the film, destiny ultimately catches up with Frank. In one of the interrogation sequences, Richie attempts to persuade him into becoming an informant, offering a more lenient sentence as an incentive. However, the officer’s suggestion for Frank to reveal everyone he’s ever done business with, even officers, is met with amusement, as he jokes that the jails aren’t spacious enough to accommodate every lawbreaker he knows.
It turned out that Frank eventually consented to the agreement. After working together, about three-quarters of the DEA’s New York division and numerous NYPD officers found themselves facing convictions.
A Familiar Real-World Script
The ending of this movie feels quite commonplace. You’ll find the theme of cooperation with law enforcement in many iconic gangster films, like “Goodfellas”. But it’s not merely a matter of films imitating each other. In reality, some mobsters have collaborated with authorities to secure leniency for future sentences, even those who had previously vowed never to do so.
Initially, Frank appeared to be a person who’d never betray, but surprisingly, he did so with no signs of hesitation. This action cost him some credibility, but it did lead to improved conditions for him. Out of the 70-year sentence he received, Frank served only 15 years.
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2024-10-04 02:32