I'm going to have to go with John Q. I reserve the right to change my opinion later because things don't always seem the same after time has passed. I know that this is the performance that is most on my mind after seeing this movie twice in the last week. but, that having been said. . . I think this role shows denzel doing all the things he has always done well, plus shows him in some new lights. yes, he cries, but when he cries, it's a different kind of cry, a subtler, sweeter cry. yes, he yells. . . and, well, it's the same as he usually yells. but he also has some beaten-down moments that were sort of new for him. I just think he makes the movie go with a really powerful performance. the others I'd consider would be Training Day, which I think is his most forceful performance to date. Glory, of course, just because it's Glory. and The Hurricane, where I think Denzel made what would otherwise have been a flat bad movie into something worth watching. oh, and I'd throw in his work on The Siege as what I would consider his most underrated performance. now, if we were talking about what his best movie was, that would be another matter altogether. but since clutch_my_ooze specifically said best performance, I'm going to assume that we're talking about the worth of the performances and not the worth of the movies.
I did not see John Q. or Training Day, so I'll have to leave them off my list. I didn't really think that The Siege or Bone Collector represented his best work. However, Washington is one of my fav's, so I'll give my list here of my favorite films with him in it. Any of my top 6 could be the best. They were all outstanding. 10. Crimson Tide - Kinda cheezy overall but I can't resist any movie with both Washington and Gene Hackman - two of my favorites. 9. Remember the Titans - I found this to be very inspirational and Washington had his trademark intensity. 8. Mississippi Masala - This was a very underrated and understated film. Washington gave a very moving performance. 7. He Got Game - Really a smaller role and it was a bit overshadowed by some of the other actors, but it was a very good performance. 6. Philadelphia - It is hard for me to not put this higher but, in all honesty, this was Tom Hanks film. Washington was really incredible as the relatively homophobic attorney having to deal with his own form of racism. I was disappointed he wasn't more recognized for this part. 5. Much Ado About Nothing - How can you possibly find fault with a Shakespeare adaptation that not only included Washington but Kenneth Branaugh and Emma Thompson? It was great to see him in a comedy and one of this calliber. (BTW: maybe the funniest part of this film was Michael Keaton) 4. Glory - I saw this years ago and just recently saw it again and it still is really, really impressive. All the performances in this one were great. Washington was outstanding. 3. Mo' Betta Blues - Of all of the films on this list, this is probably my favorite STORY. Spike Lee did a masterful job of showing that there is life after music and that life is a big circle. IMO, he took a lot from Woody Allen in this one. Washington was amazing as the horn player who learns to love life. 2. The Hurricane - It was a tough call between this one and my number one. I have seen this film maybe 10 times now and I just have a hard time turning it off. Washington's performance is absolutely rivetting. I cry and cheer every time I see it. Washington's speech in the federal court and his argument with his attorneys through the prison visitation window are two of the most moving performances of his career. 1. Malcom X - To me, this is a legendary performance. Just this week I got an even greater appreciation for his performance when KPFT in Houston ran a series of Malcom X speeches in honor of black history month. It was uncanny just how similar Washinton got to X in his mannerisms and vocal tone. He even looked like him! It was the performance of a lifetime.
yeah, I've been kicking myself all night for forgetting He Got Game. that might be my favorite Washington performance. clutch_my_ooze is a moron for not including that one in his poll. what a choad. I also forgot Remember the Titans. I guess I'm a choad, too.
I was totally blown away the first time I ever saw a Denzel Washington performance. The name of that movie was Cry Freedom. But Malcolm X is still his best preformance. Especially when you consider how much pressure he was under. People had been trying to make that movie for decades, and it never got made. The scrutiny on his acting in that movie (and on the movie in general) makes his "coming through in the clutch" all the more impressive. Malcolm is beloved by so many people; Denzel had to do a great job -- tons of pressure. One of the best examples of why the Academy Awards are BS...
I haven't seen John Q yet. Definitely on my list... I'd have to say Training Day. Awesome performance there. I actually can't think of anyone else who could've pulled that one off. I'd say that He Got Game would be second...
John Q is absolutely horrible. The fact that Denzel was in it saved it from being one of the worst movies I've <B>EVER</b> seen, but I imagine it will be a strong candidate for worst movie of 2002. Picking your favorite Denzel role is like picking your favorite sexual position...they're all good. However, if forced, I'd go with Philadelphia, Glory and He Got Game being close behind. Ricochet was another good movie he was in. However, I can't believe you forgot Carbon Copy.
Has Denzel ever had a bad performance in any movie? Ever? Really, I can't think of one. You know that if he's in a movie, you can expect at least one solid performance. It's hard to pick a best performance, too. He give every performance energy and realism that others lack. Who can ever forget his face and demeanor in Glory as he's being whipped, or the look on his face when Hackman slapped him in Crimson Tide... BTW, Rm95 - you're a damn critic, so no one cares what you think. Especially since you're always wrong... (Moulin Rouge?)
Ha treeman, the ending credits are rolling on Moulin Rouge as we type...still love it. About Denzel, that's what I put in my John Q review...the movie was absolute ****, but he's become that actor where he could play a guy watching grass grow, and it would almost be mesmerizing.
I know, I know. Oscars, rave... But it still sucked. What, no bad movie has ever made it past the Academy?
Hey, I'm still pissed they passed over High Fidelity last year...the movie that is just starting as we type.
I didn't like Denzel in Much Ado. Thought he underplayed the role. Overacting is dangerous... but with Shakespeare, so is understatement.
This is really hard, the man is always on point. However, gotta go with Mo' Better Blues, great movie, great performance, great music.
