Training Day

TRAINING DAY (18)
D: Antoine Fuqua
Warner/Village Roadshow/NPV/Outlaw (Jeffrey Silver & Bobby Newmyer)
US 2001
122 mins

Crime/Thriller

W: David Ayer
DP: Mauro Fiore
Ed: Conrad Buff
Mus: Mark Mancina

Denzel Washington (Alonzo Harris), Ethan Hawke (Jake Hoyt), Scott Glenn (Roger), Tom Berenger (Stan Gursky), Harris Yulin (Doug Rosselli), Raymond J. Barry (Lou Jacobs), Cliff Curtis (Smiley), Dr. Dre (Paul), Snoop Dogg (Blue)

Much was made of Denzel Washington's performance against type, which saw the actor win a Best Actor Oscar. In fairness, just as much credit is due to Ethan Hawke's supporting performance as rookie detective Jake Hoyt, whose first day as a member of an elite narcotics unit is spent being set up for a fall when if emerges that his superior officer, Detective Alonzo Harris (Washington), is corrupt.
The build up is fraught with tension as well as convincing performances, only to fall short with it's underwhelming ending which sees Harris launch into a foul-mouthed tirade before getting his dues.
Despite it's disappointing finale, it's well worth a watch just to see two great performances.
7/10

Ethan Hawke & Denzel Washington in Training Day
Ethan Hawke & Denzel Washington in Training Day