[7]

Ethan Hawke plays a freshman L.A. narcotics officer crash-coursing with a rogue, undercover detective played by Denzel Washington. Training Day hits the ground running and turns into a taut, character-driven thriller that throws a few twists and surprises I didn’t see coming. The power-play between the two characters is the backbone of the movie. Denzel has the more colorful role, but Hawke is required to run the gamut of emotions in response to Washington’s character. He begins the film fearful and timid of his mentor, but becomes a commanding equal. Washington won his second Academy Award for the film, but Hawke is equally up to the task, probably giving the best performance of his career. Director Antoine Fuqua adds the expected gritty realism and sense of urgency to the movie, but keeps a classy style otherwise — no high-octane cliches that I could tell. The third act strains my suspension of disbelief where ‘community good will’ is concerned, but overall, Training Day is a lot smarter and classier than the majority of big-budget movies geared toward men.

With Scott Glenn, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Dr. Dre, and Eva Mendes.

Academy Award: Best Actor (Denzel Washington)

Oscar Nomination: Best Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke)