American Gangster: The Complete First Season

Perfectly timed to piggyback on the similarly titled theatrical feature-film release starring Denzel Washington, this BET documentary series investigates the lives of such notorious African-American mobsters as Frank Lucas, Leroy “Nicky” Barnes, “Freeway” Ricky Ross, Bumpy Johnson, and the Chambers Brothers. Narrated by Ving Rhames, the six episodes from the 2006-07 debut season balance exploitative, salacious material with plentiful historical detail and trenchant sociological observation. Perhaps the most compelling story is that of Crips co-founder Stanley “Tookie” Williams, who suffered a mental breakdown from drug use, had a social awakening in prison, and eventually earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for his efforts to end gang warfare—before finally being executed for his crimes, which included multiple murders. At times, the well-done American Gangster seems on the verge of explaining away its subjects' offenses as understandable outgrowths of social inequities, but it stops just short of condoning or glorifying the actions of the men profiled here. DVD extras include extended interviews (and an interview with Williams' son), as well as a sneak peek at the second season. Recommended. (E. Hulse)