``American Gangster'' A crime drama about an American gangster who fails to become an antihero.

The true identity of "Satan" Frank Lucas

Frank Lucas is certainly an "American Gangster," but he's never been a big shot. As depicted in this film, he made enough money at one point to live in a palatial house, but he still wasn't big enough to be called a big shot gangster. Speaking of big shot gangsters, there's Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson (hereafter referred to as Bumpy Johnson), who also appears in this film as Frank Lucas's mentor.

Laurence Fishburne plays Bumpy Johnson in `` Rest in Peace '' (1997). Even recently, a TV series has been made called ``Godfather of Harlem'' (19-present/not aired in Japan) starring Forest Whitaker. Bumpy, the villain in the classic film `` The Black Jaguar '' (1971), was, of course, a character created from Bumpy Johnson, and the character Bumpy also appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's `` The Cotton Club '' (1984).

Furthermore, Frank Lucas' rival at the same time, Nicky Barnes (played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the film), is still more famous and bigger than Frank Lucas. Nicky Barnes is said to be the model for Nino Brown, played by Wesley Snipes in New Jack City (1991).

"New Jack City" preview

So why was "American Gangster," a film about Frank Lucas, made? This is largely because the film was made based on what Frank Lucas said. The film is based on "The Return of Superfly," which was published in New York Magazine. It is an article written by a journalist who interviewed Frank Lucas himself after his release from prison.

Steven Zaillian also spent many days writing the script after hearing from Frank Lucas. Also, since this film was released and attracted attention, there are former investigators and journalists who have investigated whether it is true to historical fact. According to them, there are some differences. I have read The Return of Superfly, which is the basis of the book, and it certainly shows that the authenticity of Frank Lucas's story is at stake.

There is a reason why I wrote at the beginning of this chapter that Frank Lucas was not a big name. As depicted in the film, Frank Lucas did not like to stand out. He wants to avoid attracting attention from the detectives by disappearing as much as possible and acting like he's just a trinket. However, after reading ``The Return of Superfly,'' that impression completely changes. There is probably no possibility of being arrested at the time of the interview. Frank Lucas flaunted his expensive possessions like a young rapper.

"American Gangster" (C) 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

What was also depicted in the movie was the cruelty of Frank Lucas. The ending of the tango played by Idris Elba, depicted in the movie, is so terrible that you want to look away (he gets shot in the head by Frank Lucas in broad daylight). However, I was even more shocked when I read it in The Return of Superfly. Frank Lucas remembers the tango and says, ``That idiot...'' with a laugh.

The journalist was writing an article while listening to an audio tape of the interview, and his wife, who was standing by his side, asked him, ``Are you also writing about Satan?'' Frank Lucas has no compunction.

A man who could not become an icon