American Gangster quotes

View Quote Frank: I just heard something. I said it couldn't be true. You didn't really turn in a million dollars you found in the trunk of a car, did you? Want me to tell you what happened to it? It ended up in cops' pockets.
Richie: Maybe.
Frank: Maybe? No. It did. All you did was give it to them for nothing in return. Not nothing: You got their contempt. Why'd you do that? What're you trying to prove, you're better than them? You're not better than them. You are them.
Richie: I don't have the time or interest to listen to this-
Frank:You did it because it was right. That's all. Why's that hard to say? The question is would you do it again? That was a long time ago. It'd be very easy to find out. Tell me you want to find out, tell me the address, and a car will be there, the trunk loaded.
Richie: No, thanks.

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 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: Let me ask you something. You think by putting me in jail, you're going to stop even one junkie from dying? Because you won't. If it isn't me, it'll be someone else. With me or without me, nothing's going to change.
Richie: Then that's the way it is.

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 Richie: [after finding the money in the back of the car] This isn't a couple of bucks.
Rivera: It's the same thing. In principle.
Richie: We're talking about principle?
Rivera: Richie, a cop who turns in this kind of money says one thing: He'll turn in cops who take money. We'll be pariahs.
Richie: We're ****ed either way.
Rivera: Not if we keep it. Only if we don't. Then we're ****ed, you're right. But not if we keep it.
Richie: Yes, we are.
Rivera: Goddamn it, did we ask for this? Did we put a gun to someone's head and say, Give us your money? Cops kill cops they can't trust. We can't turn it in.

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

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 Trupo: Want to come over here a minute, Frank? [points to the heroin in the trunk of the car] Now what are we gonna do about this?
Frank: We're gonna shut the trunk and say good night, forget you pulled us over.
Trupo: I got a better idea. [Takes out two slabs of heroin] Or would you rather I took it all and threw you and your brother in the ****in' river?
Frank: I don't know, would you rather it's your ****in' house blows up next time?

View Quote US Attorney: Is it any wonder then, because of your actions, the entire federal narcotics program is now in jeopardy of being dismantled as completely and enthusiastically as that ****ing transport plane? That's what you've accomplished Mr. Roberts. Single-handedly.
Richie: I had good information the target of my investigation was bringing dope in on that plane.
US Attorney: And that target is?
Richie: Frank Lucas.
US Attorney: Who? Who's Frank Lucas? Who's he work for? Which family?
Richie: He's not Italian. He's black.
US Attorney: Is that supposed to be some kind of joke? You're this close to the end of your career in law enforcement, you're making jokes?
Richie: I believe Frank Lucas is above the mafia in the dope business. I believe he buys direct from the source in Southeast Asia, cuts out all the middlemen, and uses US military planes and personnel to bring pure No. 4 heroin into United States.

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.

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.