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The Tom's Guide verdict: 'American Gangster' (2007)Rating: 4/5 starsVerdict: "American Gangster" is flawed. It's based on a true story, but it's not remotely accurate. On rewatch, the missteps in Ridley Scott's crime epic become more apparent than at first glance. And yet, there's no denying this movie is incredible. Maybe it's more than the sum of its parts; maybe it's Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe putting in career performances. But despite its flaws, this drama remains a great movie and a must-watch.Where to watch: Stream "American Gangster" for free on TubiWhen people think of Denzel Washington, they often think of "American Gangster." It's an iconic performance and a movie I've been looking forward to during my Denzel Watchathon.Now that I've rewatched it with real focus, though, I will admit it's not a flawless movie. I used to think of it as a contender for the best Denzel movie of all time, but it's a clear step down from "Crimson Tide" and "Training Day." It's instead in the same tier as "Remember the Titans," which is a great movie, but also flawed.Just like in "Remember the Titans," however, these flaws aren't really anything Denzel is doing. He's putting on a masterful performance worthy of an Oscar (yet wasn't even nominated). There are lines from this movie that you still quote. When you use the GIF of Denzel saying, "My man," that's from this movie.No, unfortunately for Denzel, the faults of this movie come almost entirely from its screenplay.If you want to watch this movie before you read on, I have great news. Right now, "American Gangster is streaming on Tubi, one of the best free streaming services. Go stream it now for free while you still can.
