Review of Training Day (2001) by Tonypolito — 14 Aug 2010

A well-earned best-actor Oscar delivery by Washington. It was only the second such statue handed to a black male; only Sidney Poitier - for "Lilies of the Field" forty years earlier - came before. For that reason and performance alone, recommended viewing.

In Act I, it appears that 'training day' will be this 24 hours, the first day on-the-job for Ethan Hawke, newbie choir-boy come to the L.A. Narc Squad, filled with dreams of cleaning up Gotham's filthy streets. The training will be dealt out by Washington, of course, whom Hawke's admired from afar.

Soon enough, Hawke learns Washington's not an object-to-idolize but rather a grizzled street warrior who easily walks both sides - no, all sides - of the law. As the film progresses, however, it becomes less and less clear who will end up the real trainee on this particular day.

Washington's simply hypnotizing and fascinating to watch here, whether you buy into the twisty plot or not. Denzel's got the street and the system down cold, as cold as any character who has ever graced celluloid. And he works it well, cleverly fast-talking and fast-thinking his way through every opportunity and mishap, turning up win-wins for every player - except for those that respect the integrity of the law, as does Hawke.

RECOMMENDATION: For the character and the performance that Washington delivers here, certainly one-spin recommended.