American Gangster quotes

View Quote Trupo: What's this? Don't tell me you're actually gonna arrest Frank Lucas, are you?
Richie: What? Haven't you heard? We're all ****ing crazy over here. You know what we do here? Cops... arrest... bad guys. The next time you come across the bridge, you should call me first. Just make sure it's safe.

View Quote His name is Frank Lucas. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina. Couple of arrests years ago. Gambling, robbery, unlicensed firearm. For fifteen years he was Bumpy Johnson's collector, bodyguard and driver. He was with him when he died. Five brothers, he's the oldest, lots of cousins, all living here now, spread out around the boroughs and Jersey. The brothers are Eugene Lucas in Brooklyn, Earl Lucas in Newark, Lester Lucas in Queens, Turner Lucas, the Bronx and Teddy Lucas, in Bergen County. Except for the chinchilla coat, which no one can explain, Frank's life seems orderly and legitimate. He gets up early. Five a.m. Has breakfast at a Midtown place, usually alone. Then goes to work. Meeting with his accountant, or lawyer, dropping in on one of the several office buildings he owns. Nights, he usually stays home. When he does go out, it's to a club or dinner - with his new wife - friends, celebrities, sports figures - never O.C. guys. Sundays he takes his mother to church. Then drives out to change the flowers on Bumpy's grave. Every Sunday, no matter what.

View Quote US Attorney: That was a military transport plane. If there was heroin on board then someone in the military would have to be involved. Which means that even as it fights a war that's claimed 50,000 Americans lives, the military is smuggling narcotics. That's how these events are being interpreted by General Easton in that call to me. That someone employed by the this office believes the United States Army is in the drug trafficking business - and is trying to prove it by desecrating the remains of young men who've given their lives in the defense of democracy.
Richie: There are drugs on that plane-
US Attorney: Shut the **** up.

View Quote That basically the whole picture right there.

View Quote Frank: Now, I got no problem with you showin' up in court tomorrow with your head blown in half.
Richie: Get in line. That one stretches around the block too.

View Quote Tobuck: Richie, a detective who doesn't have the cooperation of his fellow detectives can't be effective.
Richie: You know why I don't have it.
Toback: Doesn't matter.
Richie: No, they're all on the take and 'm not and it doesn't matter to anyone. Instead of giving you a medal for turning in money, they bury you.

View Quote Richie: What the **** is a microwave?
Tony: It's a scientific force like atomic energy. It rearranges the molecules.
Richie: Of what?
Tony: Of anything. Of popcorn. You don't want to put your head in there.

View Quote 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.

View Quote [To Trupo]'Detective. There are some things you don't do. This is one of them. Not on a man's wedding day.

View Quote Richie: Bandage his head.
Paramedic: Detective ... he's dead.
Richie: I know he's ****ing dead. Bandage his head, clean him up, put him on a gurney and prop it up so he's sitting. And open his eyes.

View Quote Trupo: Your husband's illustrious career is over. The Feds are going to come in and take it all. Everything. But not before I get my gratuity. Where's the money?
Ana: There was some on that dresser, but it's gone now so I guess you took it.
Trupo: The money! The getaway money Frank and every other gangster keeps in his house!
Ana: If you leave now, there's a chance Frank might not kill you.

View Quote Frank: 'm watching the news. Where the hell's everyone going?
Nate: Home. The war's over.
Frank: Just like that? We're going to leave the ****in' country to the communists?
Nate: We been here since 1961, Frank.
Frank: I haven't!

View Quote Richie: You going to the fight?
Spearman: I don't like boxing.
Richie: It's not about boxing, it's about politics.

View Quote The number one fear of people isn't dying, it's public speaking.

View Quote Richie: The warrant permits me to search the plane and its cargo.
[Soldiers aim their rifles at Richie])
Captain: But you don't have my permission.
Richie: I don't need it.