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However , breaking out of these pilot and stimulate up people ’s expectations can be just for an actor . get typecast or stereotype into a special character of role can be restricting . As Washington ’s career has progressed , he ’s always been interested in process with innovative and visionary filmmakers , even maltreat behind the camera at various points in his life . However , when reckon atDenzel Washington ’s best movies , it ’s clear they manifest his scope as an actor . While many of the most unexpected accession to his filmography are n’t his highest - rated , they ’re still important share of his career .
10Fallen (1998)
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
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Cast
The pile cast ofFallen , boasting Washington , Donald Sutherland , and James Gandolfini , to name just a few , could n’t spare it from a negative critical receipt . Though Washington often operates in stories with heightened realities and somewhat unrealistic action , Fallendives headfirst into supernatural territorial dominion . For an actor typically so frozen in reality , starring inFallenas Detective Hobbes was a difference for Washington , buthe avail to run aground the otherworldly narrative .
Thomas Hobbes begins the story by solving typical , if gruesome , crimes . However , the narrative speedily evolves , andHobbes becomes mindful that the fallen angel Azazel is behind the killings . From there , it number down to Hobbes and the organic structure - jumping Azazel in a tense game of cat and mouse , which Washington anchor with his dedication to the unexpected plot line . Though Washington would n’t make many yield to the phantasy genre after this , his carrying into action is a highlighting of the project .
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fall ( 1998 )
40 %
72 %
Although Denzel Washington has enjoyed many major hits in his drawn-out screen career , one of the star ’s most underrated movies was a flop from 26 years ago .
9Virtuosity (1995)
Directed by Brett Leonard
Russell Crowe joins Washington inVirtuosity , a sci - fi thriller that pushed both actors out of their comfort zones . WatchingVirtuositytoday is even more interesting , as the story is entrenched in conversations about practical realityand conversations about consciousness . regrettably , the electronic computer program brought to life inVirtuositydoesn’t merely desire to survive its life in peace treaty . Instead , it bring mayhem on a dystopian rendering of Los Angeles . This forces Washington ’s character , Barnes , to go after him .
The sci - fi aspects of the movie makeVirtuositymemorable and promote it beyond a distinctive crime thriller .
All ofDenzel Washington ’s movies from the 1990sshowcase a different side of the actor as he hit renown and transform into a movie star , andVirtuosityis no exception . Washington and Crowe have estimable chemistry , even though their characters are at betting odds throughout the story . The sci - fi aspects of the moving-picture show makeVirtuositymemorable and elevate it beyond a distinctive crime thriller . Even whenVirtuositypushes the boundary of believability , the performers take the subject matter seriously and serve the audience to do the same .
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Virtuosity ( 1995 )
32 %
8The Book Of Eli (2010)
Directed by Albert & Allen Hughes
Washington play Eli , the titulary character inThe Book of Eli , a post - apocalyptic storythat follows Eli , the ostensibly perfect survival machine , as he venture on a undivided - minded quest . Throughout his journey , Eli is smart , secure , fast , and a unsafe opposition , with enough excited appeal to ensure that the viewer has no trouble rooting for him . compare to other post - apocalyptical movies , The Book of Elitreads similar dry land , especially debate the act of films within this musical style that were range up in the 2010s .
A few years after this , Washington would plain off his next act withThe Equalizer , which firmly cement him as an military action smash hit starting line , and projects likeThe Book of Elipaved the way for this . Though it is n’t the best - remembered addition to Washington ’s filmography , The Book of Eliperformed well at the box authority , pull in $ 157,107,755 worldwide against a $ 80 million budget ( viaBox Office Mojo ) . It ’s also notable because it ’s an overtly religious improver to his filmography .
The Book of Eli ( 2010 )
47 %
64 %
7The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)
Directed by Joel Coen
It had been a long time since Washington portrayed a Shakespeare character onscreen , and he made his fantastic restoration byembodying the iconic lead character inThe Tragedy of Macbeth . toy opposite Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth , Washington grapples with the play and tragedy of a humanity stimulate to the nucleus by the force of his ambition and the cost of his triumphs . steer by Joel Coen , the project has a interchangeable feel to the movie quislingism of the Coen Brothers but distinguishes itself as a faithful version of the darling play .
His late filmography demonstrates that Washington is concerned in these wholesale historical narrative .
One of thebest movies based on Shakespeare ’s play , The Tragedy of Macbeth , actuate renew involvement in these classic stories and is a great example of how they can be made relevant to modern viewers . Though many audience know Washington for his action and thriller projects , he has a long story of working in the theater and has brought to life nuanced figures like Macbeth many times before . His late filmography present that Washington is interested in these sweeping historical story .
The Tragedy of Macbeth ( 2021 )
93 %
74 %
6Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
In the 1993 adjustment of Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing , Washington is underused as Don Pedro , but he still cuts a wizardly and striking figure whenever he ’s onscreen . Like many of Shakespeare ’s play , Much Ado About Nothingrelies on miscommunications and hijinx to propel the story forward , allowing Washington to have fun and erupt out of the more serious roleshe had been put in in the early 1990s . ThoughMuch Ado About Nothingwasn’t boundary - breaking , it ’s an enjoyable and well-situated watch .
Throughout his long & influential career , Denzel Washington has cement himself as one of the greatest actors of all time , & his movies show it .
When the flick first premiered , it was far from the most exciting labor that Washington was a part of at the time . A romantic period opus that did n’t have him heavily , Much Ado About Nothingpaled in comparison to enceinte photographic film likeMalcolm XorPhiladelphia , which give Washington more to work with . However , it ’s a fun admonisher thatWashington can well check into any role , and is a compelling amorous figurewhen given the chance to take on these parts .
Much Ado About Nothing ( 1993 )
90 %
86 %
5The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)
Directed by Tony Scott
The 1973 novel of the same name by Morton Freedgood inspired this 2009 cinema , as well as the two film adaptation that preceded it in 1974 and 1998 . In the most recent loop , Washington goes head - to - psyche with John Travolta as the MTA starter Walter Garber and the human being hijacking the subway car , Ryder . A tense surety thriller , The Taking of Pelham 123 , was able to make some interesting changes to the original story since technological procession have changed public transit . However , the life - and - death stakes remain just as compelling .
Washington is heroic and compelling enough as Garber , but the eccentric does n’t have the drive and intensity that would make his late activity hero character so iconic .
One of the biggest critiques againstThe Taking of Pelham 123was that it did n’t justify its being as a remaking of an already strong original picture show . Washington is heroical and compelling enough as Garber , but the character does n’t have the drive and intensity that would make his later action bomber roles so iconic . Though this was n’t the only movie remaking of Washington ’s career , The Taking of Pelham 123stands out because of its interesting concept but mixed results .
The Taking of Pelham 123 ( 2009 )
51 %
52 %
4The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Directed by Penny Marshall
This 1996 reimagining of the 1947 phantasy read-only memory - comThe Bishop ’s Wifesees Washington step into the role of an angel . The Preacher ’s Wifeupdates the story ofThe Bishop ’s Wife , placing the story in a contemporary setting and intertwining the intersectional conflict of a predominantly Black community in New York City with the protagonist ’s , Henry , journeying to self - actualization and dedication to his home . Washington ’s character , the holy man Dudley , go far to help Henry but finds himself falling in love life with his wife , Julia , played by Whitney Houston .
Though Houston did n’t have many film roles , as she was in the first place a singer , she holds her own inThe Preacher ’s Wifeand has strong chemistry with Washington . The story itself is unknown , asDudley might have a connection with Julia , but the picture show maintain the fact that he can never be with her . It ’s a more serious take on the rom - com , which Washington has been known to enter in , but it ’s far more sentimental than most of his other oeuvre .
The Preacher ’s Wife ( 1996 )
62 %
41 %
3Out Of Time (2003)
Directed by Carl Franklin
An intense thriller with a fascinate worked up warmheartedness , Out of Timesees Washington ’s character , Matt , targeted at every crook as he ’s looking to find sexual love . Though it makes sensory faculty that Washington would partner with the director , Carl Franklin , for a second sentence after the success ofDevil in a Blue Dress , Out of Timedidn’t reach the heights of their early collaboration . position in the Florida Keys , Out of Timehas a fun visual aestheticthat is n’t take in in many of Washington ’s other projects and is a surprisingly romantic action movie .
ThoughMatt falls dupe to the charm of a femme fatale , his relationship with his estranged wife is the most important part of the story , as their connection persevere even when they ’re at betting odds . Unlike some of Washington ’s past works , Out of Timeputs his character in the side to be saved time and again , as he relies heavily on the kindness of others . Eva Mendes ' work as Matt ’s wife , Alex , is a strong part of the tarradiddle , with Sanaa Lathan ’s Ann rounding out the love trilateral .
Out of Time ( 2003 )
65 %
58 %
2Déjà Vu (2006)
Déjà Vuwas Washington ’s earlier collaborationism with the manager Tony Scottbefore they partner onThe Taking of Pelham 123 . However , likeThe Taking of Pelham 123,Déjà Vuborrows elements of more successful movies with less innovation and intrigue . Using time travel as a primal conceit of the story , Washington ’s character , Douglas Carlin , must move back in time to prevent a terrorist attack . From there , the narrative only arrive more complex and tortuous , two thing most of Washington ’s movies are n’t .
It ’s always interesting when Washington delves into sci - fi and fantasy territory since audiences and critic are n’t used to seeing him in this light .
Unfortunately , it ’s easy to draw unfavourable comparisons betweenDéjà Vuand the 1990s thriller12 Monkeys , which play with like themes in a much more piquant way . It ’s always interesting when Washington dig into sci - fi and phantasy dominion since audiences and critics are n’t used to come across him in this light . However , it ’s obvious why Washington might have wanted to take on a projection likeDéjà Vu , as there ’s a mickle to work with in the script and many exciting natural process - camp moments .
Déjà Vu ( 2006 )
55 %
73 %
1John Q. (2002)
Directed by Nick Cassavetes
John Q.isn’t a perfect film , but it ’s emotionally resonant and has lost none of the potentiality of its messaging since its release in 2002 . Washington portrays the dire father , John Q. , who keep back a floor of a hospital surety when his son is denied a heart transplantbecause the policy fellowship refuses to pay the tremendous sum demand for the surgery . John Q.grapples with universal themes of social equivalence and the despair one feels when they ’re made powerless in the boldness of exploitative bureaucratism and privatized health care .
It ’s clear from the beginning ofJohn Q.that the audience is suppose to sympathize with John rather than the faceless corporations that would provide his son to choke . Denzel Washingtongives a moving performance and disappears into the role , immersing the viewer in the tense story . Though it ’s not subtle in its electronic messaging , John Q.is one of the most overtly socially political movie of the histrion ’s career . However , no matter how political it get , it ’s impossible not to understand Jonh ’s emotional journey .
John Q. ( 2002 )
26 %
78 %
