Warning: Contains SPOILERS for American Gangster!
American Gangsteris director Ridley Scott’s account of the life of real-life mobster Frank Lucas, but it leaves out one of the most incredible Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts stories from after the gangster’s release.Denzel Washington’s performance as Frank Lucashas become one of the actor’s most well-known, with his role inAmerican Gangsterbeing one of his most iconic. However, one major detail about Washington’s character is left out fromAmerican Gangster, and it is one of the most interesting parts.
American Gangsternot only starsDenzel Washington as Frank Lucas, but it also stars Russell Croweas Richie Roberts, another real-life figure. In the film, Richie Roberts stands up for what’s right by calling out corruption within the police department, something that gets him in hot water with many of his fellow officers. AlthoughRichie is pursuing Frank Lucas for most of the film, fate featured a massive twist for both real-world people.
Richie Roberts Later Became Frank Lucas' Lawyer & The Godfather To His Son
The Two Stayed Connected After The Events Of American Gangster
At theend ofAmerican Gangster, Richie Roberts makes a deal with Frank Lucas, with the mobster ratting out corrupt police officers and other organized crime members in exchange for leniency. However,American Gangsterdoesn’t fully go into the fact that Richie Roberts became a defense attorney after his detective work is done, with Lucas being his first client. Through Roberts' work, Lucas got a shorter sentence than he otherwise would have, with him getting released in 1991.
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Denzel Washington’s charm in American Gangster can persuade anyone to delve into the many crime epics of cinema. Here are some films to start with.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the end of Roberts' and Lucas' connection. The duo remained close after the events ofAmerican Gangster, with Roberts even becoming the godfather to Lucas' son, Ray (viaThe Washington Post). Roberts went on to pay for Ray to go to Catholic school, showing that there is a lot more story for Roberts and Lucas after the credits rolled onAmerican Gangster.
How Accurate American Gangster Is To Richie Roberts & Frank Lucas' Real Relationship
The Film Is Mostly Inaccurate According To Those Involved
Overall,American Gangsterhas been criticized for being inaccurateto real life, with it making many changes to the real story. Frank Lucas has said that very little of the film is true, while Richie Roberts has explained that elements like the custody battle aren’t true to real-life. On top of that, Lucas' role in the exposure of corruption in the police departments seems to be overblown, although he did become an informant for Roberts after the events of the film.
American Gangster: How Did Bumpy Johnson Really Die?
The Oscar-nominated biographical crime film took some creative license with many of the true story’s details, including the death of Bumpy Johnson.
However, the dynamic of their relationships seems to be mostly true, with their partnership at the end of the film actually happening. So, while the specific details may have been altered,American Gangstercaptured the reality of how Roberts and Lucas interacted.
American Gangster
Cast
American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin in Harlem, and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, the detective determined to bring him down. The film explores the rise of Lucas in the drug trade and the eventual intersection of their lives amidst the backdrop of a corrupt and morally complex society.
