Scene #14: Frank Kills Tango

This is the seventh entry in a series in which I'll countdown my 20 favorite scenes from the last 10 years in movies. To catch up more with the idea of this project, to see the other entries on the countdown, and to find out how you can contribute, click here.

Yesterday, I wrote about a film—Gangs of New York—that hasn't quite stood the test of time for most people. Today's scene, #14 on the countdown, comes from a similar movie—Ridley Scott's American Gangster.

This is a three-hour long film that's equal parts character study and procedural—not quite the shoot 'em up Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe action flick most expected. As a result, a film that I find extremely rewarding either gets dissed or has been forgotten by most people. This scene, however, is an unforgettable one, as far as I'm concerned.

Frank (Washington) has just invited his family to town in order to give them some good opportunities. He's out to breakfast with them when he decides to teach them something. See, Frank believes everyone is either a somebody or a nobody. And this guy, Tango (Idris Elba), thinks he's a somebody. Frank has a different opinion. Guess whose wins out…



Shock value alone makes this a great scene, but such brutality coming from Coach Boone himself just elevates it even more. Honestly, did you ever think Denzel would play a character who'd just murder in broad daylight for no good reason? Yes, Alonzo Harris, maybe, but what's so good about this scene is that I think it makes Frank seem even worse. He's more power-hungry, less patient, and just as vicious (if not more so).

Tomorrow, a real change of pace with scene #13 from one of 2004's best films.