American Gangster: 3 Reasons Why It's A 2007 Best Picture Nominee

To a large extent, 2007 has been a year of unmet expectations in cinema, as one anticipated release after another has fizzled into box-office disappointment. Thankfully, however, critics and movie-goers alike can look ahead to an anticipated film which will not disappoint upon release; a cinematic savior whose November 2nd arrival spells redemption for Hollywood’s collective 2007 releases. Universal Pictures’ American Gangster will not only live up to expectations, but in a year of sub-par cinema, the film’s excellence will place it near the top, if not the valedictorian of the class of 2007 come March’s Academy Awards. Three primary factors guarantee the presence of American Gangster among 2007’s elite come March: a provocative storyline written by one of the most successful screenwriters in cinema (Steven Zaillian), the quality of the film’s two lead actors (Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe), and the film’s status as the artistic vision of the most dynamic and effective directors of the last three decades (Ridley Scott).

American Gangster possesses an intriguing storyline whose provocative nature appears to be unrivaled in films released earlier this year. The storyline is loaded with explosive subject matter, including the concepts of casualties in the Vietnam War, indirect disrespect of deceased military personnel, the heroine trade in the United States, and racial tensions within crime, all of which will provoke response and interest among the American movie-viewing public. In addition, movie-goers can be assured of the effective and well-written script of the movie simply by examining the previous work of its author, Steven Zaillian. Given the quality of Zaillian’s previous films, critics and filmgoer’s have little reason to expect anything less than the best in American Gangster. In addition to his upcoming film, Zaillian has written a number of noteworthy screenplays, including All The King’s Men (2006), The Interpreter (2005), Gangs of New York (2002), Hannibal (2001), A Civil Action (1998), Mission: Impossible (1996), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Schindler’s List (1993), and Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), among others.

The quality of the actors drawn to roles in American Gangster tells future viewers two additional things about the upcoming film: first, that they can bank on the superb, Oscar-worthy quality of the acting, and second, in support of the previous paragraph, that the storyline is provocative, effective, and appealing. The presence of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, two of the most talented and effective actors of the modern era in film, together as co-stars in American Gangster promises to provide an elite performance, the level of which can be anticipated by examining their previous performances. Both actors have previously contributed to the success of a dream list of movies, and both have an impressive resume of both project and personal awards to show for it. Washington’s list consists of an astounding 46 films, including two Academy Award winning performances in Glory (1990 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role) and Training Day (2002 – Best Actor in a Leading Role). Washington has also received Academy Award nominations for Cry Freedom (1987 – Best Actor in a Supporting Role), Malcolm X (1992 – Best Actor in a Leading Role), and The Hurricane (1999 – Best Actor in a Leading Role). Crowe’s resume is no less impressive, with lead roles in award-winning movies including L.A. Confidential (1997), The Insider (1999), A Beautiful Mind (2001), and Cinderella Man (2005), and Gladiator (2000). For his Academy Award winning “Best Actor in a Leading Role” performance in Gladiator, critics could not seem to praise Crowe enough, with Newsweek proclaiming his character “a genuine larger-than-life hero” and Jonathan Forman of the New York Post stating “Russell Crowe is simply magnificent!”

If the two lead actors alone didn’t provide enough reason to have faith in the pending quality of American Gangster, the supporting cast should be, led by Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Gooding Jr. has been superb in both lead and supporting roles in a number of films, including his performances in Jerry Maguire (1996 – Best Actor in a Supporting Role), A Few Good Men (1992), Men of Honor (2000), Pearl Harbor (2001), and Radio (2003), and will only serve to further complement the performances of Washington and Crowe.

Finally, as if the aforementioned characteristics of American Gangster did not foretell an Oscar-worthy production, its direction by Academy Award winner Ridley Scott puts it over the top and into the class of frontrunners for Best Picture of 2007. Like his lead actors in American Gangster, Scott’s own level of success is almost unparalleled, with films under his direction including a number of popular favorites and Academy Award winners including Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982), Thelma and Louise (1991 – Best Director nomination), G.I Jane (1997), Gladiator (2000 – Best Director nomination), Black Hawk Down (2001 – Best Director nomination), Hannibal (2001), and Kingdom of Heaven (2005).

For these reasons (and I’m sure many others we don’t know about yet), American Gangster promises to be one of the best films of 2007, an almost automatic Best Picture nominee. In a year of relative disappointment and lack of quality among films, the Universal Pictures production lets critics and viewers alike look forward to a can’t – miss masterpiece. American Gangster promises to be a riveting cinematic experience whose success will be measured in both its box office achievements in November and its Academy Award popularity in March.