Directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Rated 18A.

I didn't think they made movies like American Gangster anymore. Based on the real-life story of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas–and set in the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War–this movie evokes some of the more memorable films of the 1970s.

Denzel Washington plays Lucas, who comes up with an ingenious plan to smuggle high-grade heroin from Asia into the United States. The scheme takes guts, finesse, and plenty of money to make people look the other way. Before long, the charming and articulate Lucas is living the American dream. Smart enough to crank out his superior product at a low street price, he considers himself the Henry Ford of the drug trade.

Unlike his associates in the Italian mob, Lucas is careful to keep a low profile. He takes care of his relatives, dotes on his beautiful wife, and despite an explosive temper that erupts without warning, he stays well below the radar of law enforcement. The one time his ego gets the better of him, he attracts the attention of New Jersey detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a cop who is so scrupulously honest that even his own colleagues ostracize him. The resulting game of cat-and-mouse turns into a fascinating riff on race, morality, and the price of success.

In terms of both style and content, director Ridley Scott borrows heavily from classics like Serpico and The Godfather . But there's more. Everything from the funky score to the retro strut of a supporting cast–featuring seasoned pros like Ruby Dee, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Armand Assante–recalls the juicy pleasures of vintage potboilers such as Across 110th Street . Despite the long running time of two-and-a-half hours, we're treated to a mammoth chunk of storytelling that's both thrilling and elegant. Best of all, Washington and Crowe are at the top of their game. American Gangster is easily one of the best movies of the year.

Link: American Gangster