Two American Gangsters

There are two movies that are perfect examples of the art of what it takes to be a gangster: The Godfather and American Gangster. These days a gangster is portrayed as a hard headed person who shoots people for no reason. Lets take a trip to the 1940's. It was a decade when men wore suits and tipped their hats to ladies. It was a decade when men danced to jazz. Back in the day being a gangster meant you thought before you acted. Let's take a look at the movie The Godfather. The gangster in that movie Vito Corleone. Vito is a smooth talking godfather who you can't refuse. Those people who tried to refuse him wound up swimming with the fishes. One of the characteristics of being a good gangster is always having a nice suit on. Another trait of gangsters is that they are always tipping their hats to women. Lets take a look at the movie American Gangster. The gangster in that movie was a drug lord named Frank Lucas. American Gangster was a story focused on the life of Frank and his rise to power through dealing heroin.

There are man similarities between these two gangsters. First, both Vito and Frank always thought about their actions before they proceeded. Second, both gangsters built their empires in the New York area. Both were good gangsters and dressed for success. Neither Frank nor Vito ever did drugs. Also, both gangsters had police back-up during their reign of power. Lastly, and most tragic, both men's suffered from gun shots.

These two men are the prime examples of what true gangsters are. Even though gangsters kill other people, their work is truly an art. The way they move, the way they think, the way they listen to their music. Frank and Vito might have been two men who sold people drugs and killed people, but they are also two of the most famous gangsters of the past. If you haven't seen these movies, go out to your local Blockbuster, rent them, and enjoy!

- Review by Osafo Boateng