The Equalizer 3 is here. But while I enjoy Washington’s performance as Robert McCall, it’s far from his best work. Indeed, the multiple Academy Award-winning actor boasts an impressive resume that places him in the GOAT conversation.
But which Denzel Washington movies best showcase his talent? Let’s dive in.
Glory (1989)
I love Glory. It’s one of my all-time favorite films. The cast is incredible, the battle scenes ferocious, and James Horner’s score is immaculate. Denzel Washington earned Best Supporting Actor for his tremendous work, and rightfully so. While Matthew Broderick’s Col. Robert Gould Shaw enjoys the most significant character arc, Washington’s embittered Trip serves as the heart and soul of the picture.
We see him morph from an angry, hateful, even vengeful man into a soldier willing to lay down his life for his friends. His final act of courage, in which he grabs the American flag during the climactic assault on Fort Wagner, chokes me up every time. Then there’s the famous whipping scene, which probably won him the Oscar outright. Amazing stuff.
Malcolm X (1992)
Spike Lee’s sprawling biopic about Malcolm X features Washington at his absolute best. The Academy awarded Al Pacino for his work in Scent of a Woman — one of the more egregious errors in the show’s history. Washington’s performance is legendary. The actor physically transformed himself for the role, studied Malcolm X’s mannerisms, notably his distinct and powerful speaking style, and successfully portrayed the multifaceted aspects of his life. For all the acclaim Washington garnered for the performance, it still seems like we’re not talking about it enough all these years later.
Courage Under Fire (1996)
An overlooked gem from the late 90s, Edward Zwick’s Courage Under Fire features outstanding performances from Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington — surprisingly overlooked at Oscar season. The pic follows Washington’s Col. Nathaniel Serling as he investigates the case of Army Captain Karen Warden (Ryan), the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor posthumously.
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That’s the meat of the pic, but much time is spent on Serling’s issues regarding a friendly fire incident that occurred during the Gulf War. Washington delivers an emotional, complex performance that stands among his best. The scene where he confronts the family of the man he accidentally killed in combat is heartbreaking.
Training Day (2001)
Denzel broke bad for Antoine Fuqua’s deliriously entertaining crime drama. He played Alonzo Harris, a crooked cop with more on his mind than training naive recruit Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke). Twists and turns abound, but this is Washington’s show, and the actor rightfully walked away with his first Best Actor trophy after delivering a performance that’s equal parts captivating and chilling. The actor uses his trademark charm to lull Jake (and the audience) into a sense of security and then unleashes a darker side in the third act that’s downright terrifying. He’s morally complex, and it’s to Washington’s credit that — despite his despicable actions — we still empathize with Alonzo to a certain degree. Training Day kicks ass.
Flight (2012)
Another picture that doesn’t get its just dues is Robert Zemeckis’ Flight, the story of a man battling alcoholism. Washington is Whip, a pilot who Captain Sully’d his way to stardom after using some nifty maneuvers to save a plane from crashing. With the world watching, Whip is forced to confront his problems. This leads to a powerful, albeit dark, tale of forgiveness, addiction, personal accountability, and redemption. Washington is magnificent, capturing the complexities of a man battling with his personal demons. His final speech is devastating and cathartic, but ultimately, his first step to peace and happiness. Any other year, Washington might’ve won another Oscar. Unfortunately, he happened to go up against Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln. It’s a tough call, but the Academy probably got this one right.