Happy Birthday Denzel Washington!

By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor

Say it isn’t so ~ Denzel Washington is 59 years old today! But some of us would say, still looking good. Truly the leading man of African American films for over 25 years. Washington, like Sidney Poitner before him, is actually a crossover movie star and an Oscar award winning actor.

What do you love about Denzel (do you know his middle name by the way?) – for me it is a few things:

• The Walk – you know what I am talking about when he steps out of the shadows into the sunlight in Devil in a Blue Dress wearing that white tank top — umm… That’s all I can say is ummm…. 
• Excellence in training shows – Denzel is not merely a movie start he is an A.C.T.O.R. His training early in his career shows in such small details. He can make the smallest details have meaning, the way he holds something or plays with it – you find yourself watching closely because you believe it is a clue to a bigger meaning. Sometimes it is, sometimes it simply adds a layer to the character’s story.
• Master of silence and stillness – There are times Denzel’s character does not say a word, but you are on the edge of your seat or emotionally entrenched in the scene. He is so still and deliberate with his movements that it elevates the moment – sometimes.

So for younger folk who have not had the joy of seeing a Denzel Washington movie at his prime which movie would you recommend in honor of his birthday? Now, I love Denzel as much as the next person but not all of his movies are masterpieces (The Manchurian Candidate and American Gangster for me). What movie would you say “skip it.” 

There are actually five of his movies I have never seen:

• Mississippi Masala
• Much Ado About Nothing
• The Great Debaters
• For Queen & Country
• Cry Freedom

What movies of his have you not seen?

My favorite three Denzel Washington movies are:

• Malcolm X – He was robbed at the Oscars this was his greatest performance. 
• Training Day – A movie I was livid about when I first saw it. But when I let go of my perception of a “Denzel worthy” character I found it fascinating. A flick I still quote today.
• The Hurricane  – So I went to see this on opening weekend out of loyalty to help the cause at the box office. Not a boxing fan at all but this movie was riveting. By the way the last time we saw a truly “fine” Denzel (jus saying).
• Honorable mentions: John Q, The Preacher’s Wife, and Inside Man.

So what are you favorite Denzel Washington movies?