In Harlem in 1968, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) revolutionizes the drug trade by buying directly from a Southeast Asian source and smuggling the heroin back via U.S. military transport. Meanwhile, ornery detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) hunts down, then prosecutes, the dealer, who has brought Blue Magic horse to New York City’s streets. Based on real events, director Ridley Scott’s crime drama plays like a condensed season of The Wire, without the breathing room to explore all the subsidiary characters (the script is crammed with narration and background information). Still, the story compels, and the powerhouse stars radiate heat, especially in the final, explosive 30 minutes.