Denzil Washington gives a superb performance as the outwardly calm and composed Frank Lucas, real life black gangster of 1960s America.
He builds the biggest drugs empire ever known, having most of the upper echelons of the judiciary and the police force in his pay.
Relentlessly pursued by Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), Roberts has the same outwardly calm exterior, born of an innate compulsion to be an honest cop which alienates him from most of the department.
Just before the final scenes the hymn Amazing Grace is used to powerful effect to highlight the resignation on Frank's face as he realises the game is up.
The final scenes of the film were unexpected and turned an excellent film into one that will never be forgotten.
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