American Gangster

I went to see American Gangster the other night with Jeff, Steve, Jon, and Cutler, and came out wondering what I was supposed to take away from the film. The story definitely had it's messages and points to make, but at the end, I felt as if the would-be strongest message (something about the real effects of drugs and drug trafficking in America) was over shadowed by the "Denzel is a Bad Ass" message. I wonder what the original intent/message of the filmmakers was before this film became the (more-palatable) cop drama that I saw?

But yes, the movie is entertaining, and in terms of story-telling, pretty good. I especially enjoyed watching how the film crafted the Crowe/Denzel characters to be so ideally and principally(?) similar. I thought that that aspect of the film was one of the more interesting/effective. I just wish that the film wouldn't have left the ending hanging (morally) wide open. Are we supposed to think that Lucas (Washington): has gotten what he deserved; gets off easy; feels any remorse; should feel any remorse; is to blame; or is just a cog in a faceless machine? I'd love to hear your thoughts.