Directed by:
Antoine FuquaScreenplay:
David AyerCinematography:
Mauro FioreComposer:
Mark MancinaCast:
Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger, Harris Yulin, Raymond J. Barry, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Charlotte Ayanna (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Everyday there is a war being waged on America's inner city streets--a war between residents, drug dealers and the people sworn to protect one from the other. This war has its casualties, none greater than L.A.P.D. Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris, a 13-year veteran narcotics officer whose questionable methodology blurs the line between legality and corruption. His optimism has long since been chipped away by his tour of duty in the streets, where fighting crime by the book can get you killed and getting the job done often requires Alonzo and his colleagues to break the laws they are empowered to enforce. This crime tale shadows Alonzo as he tests the resolve of wide-eyed, idealistic rookie Jake Hoyt, who has one day and one day only to prove himself to his fiercely charismatic superior. Over the next 24-hours, Jake will be pulled deeper and deeper into the ethical mire of Alonzo's logic as both men put their lives and careers on the line to serve their conflicting notions of justice. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
After this year's Academy Awards, I railed against the academics for not giving the Oscar to Russell Crowe, but after watching Training Day, I have to give them credit because Denzel Washington really got me. And not only him, but also Ethan Hawke, who also deserved the golden baldie. The film itself also deserves praise, it features a lot of directorial ideas and has an interesting plot. PS: You must see the original version, the bad dubbing brings the final rating down...
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A police officer can do everything, is the basic axiom that experienced veteran Denzel Washington pulls out on the rookie he is accepting onto his team. Training Day is a stylized probe into the world of drug dealers, corrupt police officers, junkies, street gangs, and the filth of the city. During a single day, the protagonist played by Ethan Hawke loses any illusions about his profession, colleagues, and police career. It's a shame about the Hollywood clichés, which mainly affected the dragged-out finale and the necessary happy ending with the punishment of evil. Overall impression: 80%.
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A very well written and excellently directed crime drama, where two actors shine above all. Both Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke have their deserved nomination (or Oscar) and deliver truly excellent performances in this gritty ride. The depiction of the flip side of L.A. is not as impressive as Michael Mann's, but the rawness and commitment to the black community is evident here, and most sequences taking place in the dark gang hideouts are very interesting, with a constant dose of tension. Washington is truly a brutal motherfucking “nigga” and fully embraces his role. Also, the “blow everything up in one day” approach by the director was interesting and somewhat innovative.
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