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The Rewatchables ·

American Gangster

year 2007decade 00sdirector Ridley Scottgenre Crimegenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 34 categories

The film

American Gangster (2007)

Directed by Ridley Scott · Crime

157 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Denzel Washington Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe Richie Roberts
Josh Brolin Detective Nick Trupo
Chiwetel Ejiofor Huey Lucas
Ruby Dee Mahalee Lucas
Armand Assante Dominic Cattano
Carla Gugino Laurie Roberts
Cuba Gooding Jr. Nicky Barnes
Ted Levine Lou Toback
Idris Elba Tango
John Hawkes Freddie Spearman
John Ortiz Javier J. Rivera
RZA Moses Jones
Yul Vazquez Alfonse Abruzzo
Joe Morton Charlie Williams
Common Turner Lucas
Tip Harris Stevie Lucas
Ritchie Coster Joey Sadano
Jon Polito Rossi
Kevin Corrigan Campizi
Malcolm Goodwin Jimmy Zee
Ric Young Khun Sa
Roger Bart U.S. Attorney
KaDee Strickland Richie's attorney
Norman Reedus Detective Norman Reilly
Melissia Hill Redtop
Robert Funaro McCann
Clarence Williams III Bumpy Johnson

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

49:09

Most Rewatchable Scene

Frank killing Tango; the final Frank–Richie interview; Frank bringing his family to Harlem; the Bangkok material

Frank killing Tango; the final Frank–Richie interview; Frank bringing his family to Harlem; the Bangkok material

In the discussion (26)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:09Read transcript
  • The opening, with Frank setting a man on fire and shooting him, is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie and Javier debating whether to turn in $987,000 is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie screaming during his custody dispute is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s Bangkok and Golden Triangle trip is nominated as material that could sustain a whole film
  • Jake’s unraveling, corpse transport, and leap from a moving vehicle are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The Blue Magic manufacturing montage is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Richie’s courtroom work and kitchen encounter with his lawyer are nominated
  • Frank killing Tango is the scene said to live on beyond the film
  • Stringer Bell’s death in The Wire is preferred as Idris Elba’s best screen death — Chris Ryan
  • The family audience and Tango’s refusal to pay are debated as reasons Frank shoots him — Van Lathan
  • Richie reclaiming the seized money from Trupo is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s party outburst and piano assault are nominated
  • Stevie choosing Frank’s life over baseball is praised for Frank’s conflicted reaction — Van Lathan
  • The Ali-Frazier event is nominated but criticized for its impersonators and brevity — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo ruining Frank’s wedding day is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank selling Blue Magic to Nicky Barnes is nominated and Cuba Gooding Jr.’s controlled performance is praised
  • The plane and coffin search is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The final police shootout and naked gunfight are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank leaving church into a mass arrest is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The final Frank-Richie interrogation is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo’s suicide is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Frank killing Tango is selected as the most rewatched scene — Chris Ryan
  • The final Frank-Richie interview is selected as a favorite scene — Chris Ryan
  • Frank bringing his family to Harlem is selected as the most important scene — Van Lathan
  • Every Denzel Washington and Armand Assante exchange is praised — Van Lathan
  • The Bangkok material is producer Craig’s choice — Van Lathan
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54:48

I Used to Fuck Guys Like You in Prison Award for Craziest Quote

Richie’s lawyer asking him to have sex like a cop

Richie’s lawyer asking him to have sex like a cop

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:48Read transcript
  • The line contrasting sex like a cop with sex like a lawyer is selected — Bill Simmons
  • The participants unpack the line through jokes about police authority and lawyers’ procedural caution — Van Lathan
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1:04:59

The most 2007 thing

Jay-Z making an American Gangster concept album after a screening

Jay-Z making an American Gangster concept album after a screening

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:59Read transcript
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1:07:00

What’s Aged the Best?

Production design, capitalism themes, Denzel’s new career era, historical texture, and the film’s aphorisms

Production design, capitalism themes, Denzel’s new career era, historical texture, and the film’s aphorisms

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:00Read transcript
  • Arthur Max’s layered production design and set dressing have aged well — Chris Ryan
  • The script’s connection between corner-store economics and buying direct from manufacturers has aged well — Chris Ryan
  • The film’s treatment of capitalism as more central than crime has aged well — Chris Ryan
  • The drug-packing montage has aged well
  • The film is identified as the start of Denzel Washington’s self-directed elder-star era — Van Lathan
  • A character named Bumpy is treated as an immediate sign of a compelling gangster story — Bill Simmons
  • The Vietnam addiction and smuggling context is praised as material worthy of more screen time — Chris Ryan
  • Shooting 360 scenes across 180 locations is praised — Bill Simmons
  • Ted Levine’s presence has aged well — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo’s reaction after his car explodes has aged well
  • Frank pouring sugar in his coffee as a bodyguard signal has aged well — Bill Simmons
  • John Ortiz’s run from Miami Vice through Public Enemies is praised — Bill Simmons
  • Five Frank Lucas aphorisms are highlighted as durable lines — Bill Simmons
  • The post-meeting golf aside by Trupo’s crew is praised
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1:17:58

Sean Fennessey Award for Stealth Homage That Gives Every Movie Nerd a Criterion Orgasm

The last shot’s homage to The Great Train Robbery

The last shot’s homage to The Great Train Robbery

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:58Read transcript
  • The final direct-to-camera gunshot is identified as an homage to The Great Train Robbery — Bill Simmons
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1:18:17

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

Frank pouring sugar into coffee

Frank pouring sugar into coffee

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:17Read transcript
  • The sugar jar and coffee signal are selected — Chris Ryan
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1:18:36

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The richly dressed drug-packing apartment tableau

The richly dressed drug-packing apartment tableau

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:36Read transcript
  • The drug-packing apartment shot is selected for the depth and coherence of its props — Chris Ryan
  • The slow reveal of Richie waiting for Frank outside church is also nominated — Chris Ryan
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1:19:28

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Public Enemy’s “Can’t Truss It” at Frank’s release

Public Enemy’s “Can’t Truss It” at Frank’s release

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:28Read transcript
  • “Across 110th Street” is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • “Amazing Grace” during the mass arrest is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • Public Enemy’s “Can’t Truss It” during Frank’s release is selected — Van Lathan
  • Retroactively adding Jay-Z songs is proposed, then rejected because it would break the period setting
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1:20:08

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Icepick Paul

Icepick Paul

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:08Read transcript
  • Icepick Paul is selected
  • Moses Jones is proposed
  • Bruiser is proposed
  • Bangkok Craig and Hard Shot Horlbeck are coined as joke alternatives — Chris Ryan
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1:20:37

The Sean Penn “I Brought My Own Pack” Award for Excellence in On-Screen Smoking

John Hawkes

John Hawkes

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:37Read transcript
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1:20:53

Did This Movie Need a Random Sports Scene?

Yes; Billy Martin watching Stevie Lucas pitch and an Ali-Frazier round

Yes; Billy Martin watching Stevie Lucas pitch and an Ali-Frazier round

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:53Read transcript
  • Harry Dean Stanton as Billy Martin watching Stevie Lucas pitch is proposed — Chris Ryan
  • An actual round of the Ali-Frazier fight is proposed — Chris Ryan
  • Pickup basketball or golf with the cops are noted as other missing sports possibilities — Chris Ryan
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1:21:47

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The movie’s extensive historical fabrication

The movie’s extensive historical fabrication

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:47Read transcript
  • Frank Lucas is said to have been less sophisticated than the film portrays — Bill Simmons
  • Richie Roberts’s child and much of his domestic story are described as fabricated — Bill Simmons
  • A federal judge is reported to have called the film one percent reality — Bill Simmons
  • The Golden Triangle and cadaver-smuggling claims are described as disputed or false — Bill Simmons
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1:22:56

What’s Aged the Worst?

Poor athlete doubles, historical inaccuracies, Armand Assante concerns, the title, and an excessively racist prosecut...

Poor athlete doubles, historical inaccuracies, Armand Assante concerns, the title, and an excessively racist prosecutor scene

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:56Read transcript
  • The Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier doubles have aged poorly — Bill Simmons
  • The Wilt Chamberlain double is also criticized — Bill Simmons
  • Joe Morton’s stylized mustache is criticized, though the real subject may have worn it
  • Armand Assante playing the Italian mob boss is initially criticized on mistaken ethnicity grounds
  • Research establishing Assante’s Italian and Irish ancestry retracts that objection — Bill Simmons
  • The romance between Frank and Eva is judged underdeveloped — Chris Ryan
  • Blue Magic is proposed as a better title than American Gangster
  • No-knock warrants have aged poorly — Van Lathan
  • The prosecutor’s racist dialogue during the coffin search is criticized as excessive and dramatically crude — Van Lathan
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1:29:33

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:33Read transcript
  • Carla, Trupo’s crooked-cop crew, and Denzel Washington are considered
  • Denzel Washington is selected for the moments when Frank erupts, slaps people, and overturns objects
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1:30:26

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Josh Brolin’s post-film career and alternate-director arguments drive three hot takes

Josh Brolin’s post-film career and alternate-director arguments drive three hot takes

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:26Read transcript
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1:33:55

Casting What-Ifs

James Gandolfini as Trupo; Ray Liotta; Brad Pitt; Eddie Murphy

James Gandolfini as Trupo; Ray Liotta; Brad Pitt; Eddie Murphy

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:55Read transcript
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1:34:48

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Roger Guenveur Smith

Roger Guenveur Smith

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:48Read transcript
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1:35:58

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:58Read transcript
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1:36:42

Recasting Couch

Ray Liotta and Eva Mendes

Ray Liotta and Eva Mendes

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:42Read transcript
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1:37:25

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Armand Assante

Armand Assante

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:25Read transcript
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1:37:40

George Ellerby “Two Weeks with Pay” Award for Character Who Should Have Been Fired

Richie’s divorce lawyer should have been fired

Richie’s divorce lawyer should have been fired

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:40Read transcript
  • Richie’s divorce lawyer is selected for saying nothing in court, sleeping with her client, and failing to improve his custody case
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1:38:11

Half-Assed Internet Research

Budget penalties, gifts, real-world family connections, locations, and a Godfather Part III idea

Budget penalties, gifts, real-world family connections, locations, and a Godfather Part III idea

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:11Read transcript
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1:40:44

Apex Mountain

Sprawling, disjointed gangster films; Lymari Nadal; bad portrayals of 1960s and 1970s athletes; drug-kingpin biopics:...

Sprawling, disjointed gangster films; Lymari Nadal; bad portrayals of 1960s and 1970s athletes; drug-kingpin biopics: yes

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:44Read transcript
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1:45:06

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Richie Roberts

Tom Hanks as Richie Roberts

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:06Read transcript
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1:46:34

Hall of Fame Plaque

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:34Read transcript
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1:46:44

Picking Nits

Frank’s market position, lack of consequences, unclear chronology, family awareness, and fabricated epilogue

Frank’s market position, lack of consequences, unclear chronology, family awareness, and fabricated epilogue

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:44Read transcript
  • Frank’s superior direct supply should have let him eliminate Harlem competition — Bill Simmons
  • Territory and distribution relationships are offered as constraints on expansion
  • Frank faces no repercussions for shooting Tango in public — Bill Simmons
  • Harlem loyalty is offered as an explanation for the silence — Bill Simmons
  • Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are shown together before their real relationship and before Keaton was well known — Bill Simmons
  • The chronology is too unclear about whether scenes are weeks or years apart — Chris Ryan
  • Frank’s mother knowing he sells drugs is criticized as disconnected from the movie’s reality — Chris Ryan
  • The closing-title claims are mocked for extending the film’s fabrications — Bill Simmons
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1:49:37

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A satirical all-white remake

A satirical all-white remake

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:49:37Read transcript
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1:50:38

Is This Movie Better With…?

A faux Bob Costas-style narration

A faux Bob Costas-style narration

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:38Read transcript
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1:51:15

Just One Oscar

Arthur Max’s art direction

Arthur Max’s art direction

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:15Read transcript
  • Harris Savides’s cinematography is proposed — Chris Ryan
  • Arthur Max’s art direction is selected because it received the film’s nomination — Chris Ryan
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1:51:57

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Absent actors, Denzel’s persona, ideal length, Trupo, Frank’s wife, and Stevie’s Yankees path

Absent actors, Denzel’s persona, ideal length, Trupo, Frank’s wife, and Stevie’s Yankees path

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:57Read transcript
  • How Mark Ruffalo missed the large ensemble is asked
  • Whether this performance created Jay Pharoah’s Denzel Washington impression is asked — Bill Simmons
  • The maximum acceptable length is debated; one participant would watch a six-hour event
  • More Vietnam, Jake, Stevie, and Frank-fall material is requested
  • Trupo’s home life and golf club are questioned — Van Lathan
  • Whether Frank’s wife set him up by insisting on the fur coat is debated
  • The unexplained fake beard is raised as evidence of missing connective material
  • Whether Stevie could plausibly go from the street to the Yankees in 1974 is questioned — Bill Simmons
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1:55:33

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Frank’s Ali-fight outfit and hat

Frank’s Ali-fight outfit and hat

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:55:33Read transcript
  • The bloodied piano is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s old brown suitcase is proposed — Bill Simmons
  • Frank’s Ali-fight outfit and hat are selected as the most iconic choice — Bill Simmons
  • Trupo’s leather coat and car are proposed
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1:56:06

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Quitting while ahead is not the same as quitting

Quitting while ahead is not the same as quitting

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:06Read transcript
  • “Quitting while you’re ahead is not the same as quitting” is selected by two participants — Bill Simmons
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1:56:06

Best Double Feature

The French Connection; Blow

The French Connection; Blow

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:06Read transcript
  • The French Connection is selected as the best pairing and described as a narrative precursor
  • Virtuosity is proposed for an earlier Crow-Washington pairing — Chris Ryan
  • Ricochet prompts a tangent but is not selected
  • Blow is added as another preferred pairing — Bill Simmons
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1:57:21

Who Won the Movie?

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:21Read transcript
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More from the conversation

Opening advertisements and an anniversary retrospective lead into explicit introductions of Chris Ryan and Van Lathan.
Approx. transcript time · 00:00:00Read transcript
The hosts explain their changing relationship to the film, its dense structure, and possible alternative emphasis on Frank, Richie, Trupo, or the Golden Triangle.
Approx. transcript time · 00:07:23Read transcript
The conversation surveys Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, the large supporting cast, and the project’s long development history.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:20Read transcript
The hosts discuss Steve Zaillian and Ridley Scott’s careers, drug-biopic constraints, television comparisons, box office, Oscar backlash, and Roger Ebert’s review.
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:48Read transcript
Pure Michigan and Wells Fargo advertisements interrupt the category sequence.
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:57Read transcript
A long Ringer Las Vegas gambling anecdote follows the film’s aphorisms.
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:38Read transcript
The closing producer reaction praises the pace but calls the movie a Pro Bowler rather than an All-Pro because its character arcs remain limited.
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:31Read transcript