In American Gangster, Denzel Washington’s up-and-coming Harlem druglord character Frank Lucas eschews the pimp aesthetic in favor of some very sharp suits. On his journey from bumpkin to kingpin, Lucas learns some important sartorial lessons; the quiet, understated elegance of his clothing allows him to pass as a respectable businessman while flashier rivals get picked off by the cops.

At times one wonders how Lucas has time to get any business done; in the course of the flick he goes through more costume changes than Madonna on a comeback tour — some 64 in all, or roughly every two-and-a-half minutes - but the effect is captivating. And while the supporting players had to make do with smelly vintage finds, Denzel’s togs evoke the ’70s without overdoing it. We might have hazarded a guess at Gucci, but the superlative fit said bespoke.

Turns out the film’s costume designer Janty Yates had him suited up on Savile Row; the dapper actor even made some suggestions of his own. “Denzel loves clothes,” Yates told Variety, “and that made dressing him a joy.” And we might add watching as well.

-J.P.S.