Americans love gangsters, and so do I. Why? (1) They're the ethnic underdogs--Italians, Irish, Jews, Blacks. (2) They know how to have a good time, and even if they kill people they look good/bad-ass doing it. (3) They make a living exploiting the system, which is always portrayed as corrupt anyway (this ties into the ethnic stuff in complicated ways).
When I saw "American Gangster" I was pissed that the soundtrack did not include any Jay-Z. Jay-Z's new album was only "inspired" by the movie. Obviously I need to read more Entertainment Weekly.
Anyway, the movie was an excellent genre exercise, as is Jay-Z's new album.
If any of you guys see the movie I'd love to discuss the gender-and-or-race politics with you. They were far from subtle.
Also, as an ethicist I should say I am opposed to gangsterism in all its forms. But what is unacceptable in life is often more than agreeable in art.
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