2006
Following his mentor's death, Frank Lucas becomes a Harlem heroin kingpin by importing pure drugs directly from Southeast Asia using military planes and soldiers' coffins. Meanwhile, ostracized New Jersey detective Richie Roberts leads a narcotics task force that slowly uncovers Frank's operation, identifying him as the mysterious new power despite facing resistance from corrupt officials. As Frank's empire grows, his high profile and refusal to compromise attract unwanted attention from both the Italian mob and law enforcement, while Richie intensifies his investigation amid personal struggles. Richie eventually discovers Frank's unique smuggling method, leading to his arrest, and after a tense negotiation, Frank cooperates to expose widespread corruption, serving a reduced sentence before being met by Richie upon his release.
Save the Cat beat sheet
American Gangster interweaves the rise of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas with Newark narcotics detective Richie Roberts’ pursuit.
Open full beat sheetRichie Roberts is listed as Protagonist / Detective. A dedicated, honest, and ostracized New Jersey detective investigating the heroin trade. In the parsed data, Richie Roberts is connected to 72 scenes, 73 dialogue lines, 73 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
72 scenes / 73 dialogue linesFrank Lucas is listed as Protagonist / Gangster. Bumpy Johnson's former driver and protege who rises to become a major heroin kingpin. In the parsed data, Frank Lucas is connected to 70 scenes, 115 dialogue lines, 119 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
70 scenes / 115 dialogue linesEva is listed as Supporting. Frank Lucas's wife, a former beauty queen. In the parsed data, Eva is connected to 25 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 84.
25 scenes / 9 dialogue linesTeddy Lucas is listed as Supporting. Frank's brother. In the parsed data, Teddy Lucas is connected to 22 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 53.
22 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDetective Trupo is listed as Antagonist / Corrupt Cop. A corrupt NYPD detective in the Special Investigations Unit. In the parsed data, Detective Trupo is connected to 15 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 78.
15 scenes / 15 dialogue linesLou Toback is listed as Supporting. Richie's superior in the prosecutor's office. In the parsed data, Lou Toback is connected to 15 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 48.
15 scenes / 14 dialogue linesJavy Rivera is listed as Detective. Richie Roberts' partner. In the parsed data, Javy Rivera is connected to 14 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
14 scenes / 4 dialogue linesAlbert Tosca is listed as Antagonist / Mobster. An elegant Italian crime boss. In the parsed data, Albert Tosca is connected to 9 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 81.
9 scenes / 6 dialogue linesEllsworth Bumpy Johnson is listed as Mentor / Gangster. An elderly, respected Harlem crime boss who dies early in the story. In the parsed data, Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson is connected to 6 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
6 scenes / 9 dialogue linesNate is listed as Supporting. Frank's cousin-in-law, an Army Sergeant in Southeast Asia. In the parsed data, Nate is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 121.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA man in a suit enters a jazz club.
Frank LucasThe man shoots men in a booth and exits.
Frank LucasBumpy Johnson hands out turkeys to the poor while Frank watches.
Frank Lucas, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonBumpy and Frank visit a discount store; Bumpy suffers a medical emergency.
Frank Lucas, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonMourners arrive for Bumpy's funeral.
Albert ToscaFrank attends the wake and deals with opportunistic associates.
Frank Lucas, Albert ToscaRichie struggles with public speaking in class.
Richie RobertsRichie and Rivera attempt to serve a subpoena.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraThe detectives break into the room and apprehend the suspect.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie and the suspect are treated in an ambulance.
Richie RobertsFour men in leather coats walk through the station.
Detective TrupoTrupo signs out evidence.
Detective TrupoTrupo arrives at a warehouse.
Detective TrupoTrupo and others cut the heroin.
Detective TrupoTrupo prepares the evidence for court.
Detective TrupoTrupo sells the cut heroin to Rossi.
Detective TrupoFrank enters the bar.
Frank LucasFrank and Rossi discuss the state of Harlem.
Frank LucasStreet corner in Harlem.
Frank eats breakfast.
Frank LucasFrank leads servicemen upstairs.
Frank LucasFrank provides heroin to servicemen.
Frank LucasRichie and Rivera watch the club.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraDetectives follow the accountant.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraDetectives continue tailing.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraDetectives watch the accountant switch cars.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie and Rivera decide to break into the car.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraDetectives contemplate keeping the money.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraThe money is counted.
Richie Roberts, Javy Rivera, Lou TobackRichie leaves the station.
Richie RobertsTango confronts Frank.
Frank LucasRichie cooks soup.
Richie RobertsFrank does his finances.
Frank LucasRichie studies law.
Richie RobertsFrank walks his dog.
Frank LucasRichie rolls a joint.
Richie RobertsRichie prepares a joint while listening to Bumpy's voiceover about leadership.
Richie Roberts, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonFrank interacts with his dog and hears Bumpy's voiceover about the shepherd.
Frank Lucas, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonBumpy gives Frank advice on the new way of doing business.
Frank Lucas, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonFrank retrieves cash and leaves money for Bumpy.
Frank Lucas, Ellsworth Bumpy JohnsonRichie and his lawyer Sheila discuss his custody battle and the influence of his ex-wife's associates.
Richie Roberts, Lou Toback, EvaRichie argues with his ex-wife Laurie about their son.
Richie RobertsFrank welcomes his extended family to his new home in New Jersey.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasThe Lucas family shares a meal and Frank shows his mother her new room.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasFrank reflects on his mentor Bumpy Johnson.
Frank LucasFrank walks through Harlem with his brothers, demonstrating his status.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasFrank shows his brothers his heroin processing operation.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasTango walks through the street.
Frank negotiates a large heroin purchase with Nate.
Frank Lucas, NateFrank lectures his brothers and prepares to confront Tango.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasFrank executes Tango in broad daylight.
Frank LucasRichie receives a desperate call from Rivera.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie identifies the bodies of Rivera and his girlfriend.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie helps Rivera cover up a shooting.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie is recruited for a special narcotics task force.
Richie Roberts, Lou TobackRichie negotiates the terms of his new assignment.
Richie Roberts, Lou TobackRichie confronts Rivera about stealing money.
Richie Roberts, Javy RiveraRichie visits the abandoned church that will serve as his headquarters.
Richie RobertsFrank views a luxury penthouse.
Frank LucasFrank meets Ana at the club.
Frank Lucas, Eva, Teddy LucasRichie meets his potential team members.
Richie RobertsFrank picks up Ana for a date.
Frank Lucas, EvaFrank introduces Ana to his mother.
Frank Lucas, EvaRichie briefs his new team.
Richie RobertsRichie's team conducts a test buy.
Richie RobertsThe team analyzes the heroin sample.
Richie RobertsRedtop and workers clean up after processing heroin; Frank's brothers count money and use a machine to bundle it.
Eva, Teddy LucasFrank deposits large amounts of cash into safety-deposit boxes.
Frank LucasFrank hosts a party where a corrupt detective is shot by Jimmy Racine.
Frank Lucas, Eva, Teddy LucasFrank calls his brother Teddy.
Frank Lucas, Teddy LucasFrank demands Jimmy be removed and destroys Teddy's glasses.
Frank Lucas, Eva, Teddy LucasRichie discusses his legal situation with his lawyer.
Richie RobertsRichie decides to restart the investigation from the street level.
Richie Roberts, Lou TobackToback gives Richie $20,000 for an undercover operation.
Richie Roberts, Lou TobackRichie makes a buy from the mechanic.
Richie RobertsRichie and Spearman follow the mechanic into New York.
Richie RobertsRichie steals a taxi to follow the mechanic.
Richie RobertsTrupo and his SIU team intercept the mechanic; Richie confronts them.
Richie Roberts, Detective TrupoRichie and Toback discuss the corruption in the NYPD.
Richie Roberts, Lou TobackA woman from Child Social Services arrives at Richie's apartment.
Richie RobertsYeah, I know, like everyone else. Some of them will steal no matter what. There can be a camera on them they'll do it. Some'll never do it. The rest are capable of either, depending how their department leans ... Only theirs isn't leaning, it's fallen over. The patrol cars don't even stop in Harlem, just roll down the window so the dealers can throw the money in. I saw drops made on precinct steps.
When's the last time I was in Jersey? Let me think. Never. What're you doing coming over here without letting anybody know? You don't know you can get hurt doing that? You got your money. Now, never, ever, come into the city again unannounced. You come in to see a fuckin Broadway show you call ahead first to see if it's okay with me.
I do pay them, I pay them all. Cops, accountants, lawyers, who don't I pay? Everybody. I pay them a fortune, it doesn't matter. It doesn't satisfy them. The more you pay, the more they expect. You can't start with them because they can't stop. It's like dope. They always want more.
Which is a little mom and pop store compared to what I'm talking about. I could make you bigger than K-Mart. L.A., Chicago, Detroit, Vegas. I'm speaking nationwide. And I'd guarantee you peace of mind. You know what I mean by that.
What am I supposed to do with a place like this, Frank? Who am I supposed to ask for, the assistant manager? This is the problem. This is the way it is now: You can't find the heart of anything to stick the knife.
You're not listening to me. I said: I don't want to hear about it ... You do whatever you have to do, go wherever you have to go to find out who's bringing this shit into the country ... Just don't tell me.
Blue Magic is a brand name; as much a brand name as Pepsi. I own it. I stand behind it. I guarantee it and people know that even if they don't know me any more than they know the chairman of General Foods.
Blue Magic is a brand name; as much a brand name as Pepsi. I own it. I stand behind it. I guarantee it and people know that even if they don't know me any more than they know the chairman of General Foods.
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