12-30-2007, 08:48 PM
Quote:So the drunk, at loose ends ex soldier he played in Man on Fire is the same as the cop in Deja Vu is the same as Malcom X?
Hmm. Don't see it.
Occhi
The similarities aren't in the roles per se, but on a smaller level. It's all rather illusory to put into words, but take for example the way Denzel smiles. There's something about his face which expresses a cool confidence that you can't find in the run of the mill Hollywood actor.
To put it a different way, there's something about it that makes me admire his character, or at the very least empathize with him in every role. For instance, if you cast Denzel as a character made of pure evil, there'd still be something about the way in which he carries himself, the small things that make him unique that would draw you to his character. There just is something about him as an actor (a superb one I might add) that shines through all of his roles.
Its part of what makes him great, but its also something that after watching a lot of his movies, permeates his roles. As Merlinios pointed out its not necessarily a bad thing.
To summarize it in yet another form, when you go to see a Denzel film you know what his character is going to be like, even if the details might vary from one film to another.
Cheers,
Munk