The engrossing ’90s nonsense of Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is an incredibly talented actor, known for his commanding presence that many aspire to achieve. He has skillfully brought to life the works of Shakespeare and iconic figures like Malcolm X. However, for many years, he has also shown a penchant for tackling projects that might not seem fitting for someone of his caliber, taking on the challenge of transforming lesser scripts and ideas into something greater. Recent reviews have consistently highlighted him as the standout performer in Ridley Scott's uneven Gladiator II, a testament to his ongoing ability to enhance the material he works with.

Although he first gained recognition in the eighties, transitioning from a lead role in the TV medical drama St. Elsewhere to winning an Oscar for Glory in a mere seven years, the nineties marked the period when Washington truly became a major star. This decade showcased his impressive performances in films like Malcolm X, Crimson Tide, Philadelphia, and The Hurricane – all significant, powerful films that highlighted his strong screen presence. In between these standout roles, there were a few movies that were simply…not great. Yet, those less acclaimed films, alongside the ones that earned him well-deserved accolades, illustrate why his popularity has remained strong for so long.

In the 1991 film Ricochet, we meet Nick Styles, a police officer who successfully puts away the ruthless murderer Earl Talbot Blake, played by John Lithgow. Fast forward eight years, and Blake escapes from prison, setting his sights on Styles, who is now an Assistant District Attorney, seeking revenge. While the storyline is fairly typical, the level of violence is quite extreme—there's a scene where a man gets a circular saw plunged into his stomach. True to the spirit of the 1990s, nearly every gruesome moment is punctuated with a dark, humorous quip; for instance, when someone is impaled, we hear, “You got the point now, don’t you?”

In all of his films, it’s challenging to find a moment that captures Washington’s magnetic charm better than the scene where he first apprehends Lithgow’s character at a nighttime fair. Styles has a gun trained on Blake, but when an oblivious woman exits a nearby portable restroom, Blake takes her hostage. In an effort to convince him to let her go, Styles puts on a display of disarming himself, even going so far as to strip down to his underwear to demonstrate that he has no concealed weapons or protective gear, all while trying to soothe the frightened woman. Blake then shoves her aside and lunges at Styles, who surprisingly manages to conceal a gun and successfully restrains the villain.

Ricochet is a ridiculous film, but it portrays Washington's charisma in a way that paves the way for many of his future roles. Four years later, his journey took an even more outrageous turn in Virtuosity.

In this story, Washington takes on the role of Parker Barnes, a former police officer who was imprisoned for taking the life of the man responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter. Barnes, along with other inmates, has been involved in trials for a virtual reality training system designed to challenge officers against SID 6.7, played by Russell Crowe. This AI is based on the traits of 200 notorious serial killers, including the one who took Barnes' family from him. When a rogue technician manages to release SID 6.7 into the real world, Barnes becomes the only person capable of stopping him.

In "Virtuosity," Russell Crowe clearly takes on the most flamboyant role, reveling in it as he exudes a joyful yet sinister energy, relishing every chilling taunt he delivers. Twelve years later, the two would share the screen again in "American Gangster," where Washington would take on a more flamboyant villain role. With Crowe’s over-the-top portrayal of a psychopath and the film’s emphasis on virtual reality—its effects now appearing charmingly outdated though they were once seen as cutting-edge—it’s Denzel Washington's strong performance as the heartbroken and enraged hero that lends any emotional depth to "Virtuosity." By dialing down his own charisma and allowing Crowe to dominate the humor and visual flair, Washington plays a crucial role in keeping the story from unraveling.

In his last film from the 1990s trilogy of absurdity, Washington reprises his role as a police officer in the 1998 movie Fallen. His character, John Hobbes, witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (played by Elias Koteas), but surprisingly, this doesn’t put an end to the series of murders that follow Reese's unsettling style. Initially, Hobbes and his colleagues believe they are dealing with a copycat killer. However, it soon becomes clear to him that the true source of the crimes comes from a completely different dimension.

The true ridiculousness of Fallen takes some time to unveil. Directed by Gregory Hoblit, right after his hit film Primal Fear, and featuring actors like Donald Sutherland, John Goodman, and James Gandolfini, it initially seems quite sophisticated, especially when compared to the sheer craziness of Ricochet and Virtuosity. However, things take a turn when it becomes clear that it’s actually the demonic spirit of Reese that’s on a killing spree, inhabiting various unsuspecting bodies—mostly human, but occasionally feline! Throughout the rest of the film, Washington essentially finds himself in a game of tag with this demon.

Despite the over-the-top nature of Fallen, Washington still maintains a strong presence. In the moment when he learns the truth of the situation, he quickly shifts from doubt to complete belief in just a few seconds. This rapid transformation makes his character's change feel genuine, managing to draw the audience in as well. Although the film itself may be absurd, Washington’s performance is truly outstanding.

Washington's tendency to blend high and low art continued long after the nineties, especially evident in his numerous collaborations with director Tony Scott. Over the course of five films from 1995 to 2010, the actor portrayed characters who traveled through time, halted runaway trains, and engaged in various heroic feats, transforming what could have been low-quality stories into something poetic. Following that, he starred in The Equalizer films, where he brought depth to his ex-CIA agent character, showcasing a surprisingly profound emotional journey amid numerous violent and often outrageous scenarios. Time and again, from the nineties to today, Washington has managed to make even the most seemingly trivial films feel incredibly captivating.

Creating believable emotions in absurd films like Ricochet, Virtuosity, and Fallen is just as difficult as delivering a complex soliloquy from Shakespeare. Denzel Washington's ability to master both of these challenges is a significant reason he stands out as an exceptional actor, making us fortunate to experience his performances.

Released on November 12, 2024.