Denzel Washington has played the role of a man on the edge so many times that he doesn't even have to act anymore. However Training Day can easily be seen as a culmination of a long angst laden career already spawning over two decades. Training Day brings out the best in Mr. Washington. It allows him to really turn up the cool factor. This is one of his few movies where he feels so completely comfortable -- even though he plays one of the most unconvincing roles of his career.
Training Day is about the first day in job as an undercover narcotics in a savagely sinful and over done Los Angeles of a young smart conscientious rookie Jake Hoyt played well by Ethan Hawke. Mr. Hawke who usually makes his own movies usually starring his own wife, hopelessly overrated Uma Thurman, makes a decent comeback for himself. He plays a role that fits him well. In a sense -- he is still the Todd Anderson we loved in the Dead Poets Society -- the kid who had trouble speaking in class. He is good, completely lacks confidence and is highly unaccomodating. Hopefully he will continue letting other people direct him.
Training Day is mostly a failure -- a clever noisy affair -- racy enough to not let you think for a second what it is all about. But the story, though heavily subdued by strong dialogue and acting is often laid bare without much to be proud of. A la La Confidential plot that boasts of crime in high places and moral corruption that is almost ludicrous to believe in film however is almost trivial if less melodramatic compared to the business of law in the United States.
Training Day is about the first day in job as an undercover narcotics in a savagely sinful and over done Los Angeles of a young smart conscientious rookie Jake Hoyt played well by Ethan Hawke. Mr. Hawke who usually makes his own movies usually starring his own wife, hopelessly overrated Uma Thurman, makes a decent comeback for himself. He plays a role that fits him well. In a sense -- he is still the Todd Anderson we loved in the Dead Poets Society -- the kid who had trouble speaking in class. He is good, completely lacks confidence and is highly unaccomodating. Hopefully he will continue letting other people direct him.
Training Day is mostly a failure -- a clever noisy affair -- racy enough to not let you think for a second what it is all about. But the story, though heavily subdued by strong dialogue and acting is often laid bare without much to be proud of. A la La Confidential plot that boasts of crime in high places and moral corruption that is almost ludicrous to believe in film however is almost trivial if less melodramatic compared to the business of law in the United States.