Denzel's Ability To Truly Capture The Character

You won’t see Denzel Washington in an American Pie or a Dumb and Dumber, not because he hasn’t been offered the positions but because he sticks to what he knows. The accomplished actor respects where he came from, and it shows through his acting. Cool, calm and collected, Denzel Washington has always been a model of poise. It is almost impossible to envision him out of control or nervous; he exudes such confidence. “Pay close attention to any character Washington has portrayed in his 20-year career, and you’ll see at all times a very proud black man: focused, strong and always in control”, Allison Samuels from Newsweek comments “Washington doesn’t stray far from those traits in real life"(qtd. in Samuels 2). Sure, it is easy for the prominent Washington to refuse roles now but even in the beginning struggles, Washington chose his roles carefully. Taking his mentor’s, Sidney Poitier, advice “son, your first three or four films will dictate how you are viewed your entire career. Choose wisely, follow your gut and wait it out if you can,” Washington turned down his first two starring role opportunities even though money was tight (Samuels 2). This proving vital as six months later he received the role of activist Steven Biko in Cry Freedom, which garnered him his first Oscar nod, for best supporting actor. He often portrays the roles of real history defining characters such has, Reuben Carter in Hurricane, Malcolm X in Malcolm X, Herbert Boone- Remember The Titans, Frank Lucas in American Gangster, Steve Biko in Cry Freedom and Melvin Tolson in Great Debaters. Although these characters range from a football coach to a drug lord to a boxer, they all have something in common. They all represent a notion or mean a great deal to Washington which allows him to become one with his character. “I definitely deal with my emotions through my roles,” Washington claims, “I work through things that bother me and let it all out on the screen (qtd. in Samuels 5). The majority of these characters deal with some time of racial conflict which Washington has had to deal with all his life. When he is on screen, you get the sensation his words are more than just scripted lines. His passion bleeds through with his ability to make his character come to life. Whether it be a slave or an under cover cop, Denzel Washington will have you eating out of the palm of his hand believing every word, must true, that comes out of his mouth.

Samuels, Allison. "Will It Be Denzel's Day?" Newsweek 25 Feb. 2002: 1-7. ProQuest. Academic Search Elite. Edmon Low Library, Stillwater. 11 Mar. 2008 .