Why Denzel Washington Deserved Another Oscar in the 1990s

Denzel Washington, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, could have been a two-time Oscar winner much earlier if not for a snub of one of his films from the 1990s. Known worldwide for his exceptional work ethic and his ability to enhance any movie he appears in just by being there, Washington is a major box office draw and one of the most reliable actors in the industry. Throughout his four-decade career, Washington has earned high praise, with his work from the 90s considered some of his best to date.

Even though Washington eventually won his well-deserved second Academy Award in the early 2000s, it could have been his third win. However, with an upcoming remake of High & Low by Spike Lee, originally directed by Akira Kurosawa, Washington will have a chance to aim for another Oscar under the guidance of the legendary director. Additionally, with future projects alongside Antoine Fuqua and Ridley Scott in Gladiator 2, Washington is set to prove why he is a two-time Oscar winner. Nonetheless, it's easy to argue that he should have already had three.

Denzel Washington Should Have Won The Academy Award For Best Actor For Malcolm X

Al Pacino won the Academy Award in 1993 for his performance in Scent of a Woman.

Spike Lee as Shorty and Denzel Washington as Red (Malcolm X) in Malcolm X. - Al Pacino won the Academy Award in 1993 for his performance in Scent of a Woman. - Denzel Washington Should Have Won The Academy Award For Best Actor For Malcolm X

In 1992, Spike Lee's Malcolm X and Martin Brest's Scent of a Woman were released, both featuring strong lead characters. Despite their differences, both films explore similar themes through their dynamic protagonists. Scent of a Woman focuses on mentorship and integrity between a military colonel and a university student, while Malcolm X delves into the enlightenment and advancement of Black people and African-American culture. Interestingly, Al Pacino won the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 1993 Academy Awards for his role in Scent of a Woman.

Why Denzel Washington's Work As Malcolm X Didn't Earn Him The Academy Award

Denzel Washington's portrayal of Malcolm X in the more than 3-hour long film was truly exceptional. He may not have physically resembled the Civil Rights leader, but Washington captured his essence through cadence, body language, and presence, captivating audiences of all ages. Despite this incredible performance, Washington's spot-on portrayal of Malcolm X might have been the very reason he missed out on winning the Oscar.

Despite his brilliant performance, Malcolm X is a very polarizing figure.

Kate Vernon as Sophia and Denzel Washington as Malcolm X in Malcolm X. - Despite his brilliant performance, Malcolm X is a very polarizing figure. - Why Denzel Washington's Work As Malcolm X Didn't Earn Him The Academy Award

Malcolm X, despite being a highly influential historical figure, remains a divisive figure even years after his death. Denzel Washington's portrayal of him in Spike Lee's biographical film was exceptional, but awarding him for playing such a controversial character would have caused problems for the Academy Awards. Malcolm X aimed to spread the teachings of Islam and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, while also holding strong opinions about White Americans.

Although Malcolm X's trip to Mecca transformed his views on race and racism, his harsh criticisms of European communities and support for the Second Amendment continued to tarnish his reputation. Denzel Washington's brilliant performance as both the pre-Civil Rights activist Red and the enlightened Malcolm X highlighted the complexity of X's legacy. The Academy, known for its conservative stance, likely wanted to avoid any controversies surrounding the film, despite Washington's outstanding acting.

Denzel Washington Won His Second Oscar For Training Day

Washington won his second Academy Award for his work on Training Day.

Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris and Ethan Hawke as Jake Hoyt on the Training Day poster. - Washington won his second Academy Award for his work on Training Day. - Denzel Washington Won His Second Oscar For Training Day

Denzel Washington won his second Academy Award for his role in the 2001 crime thriller, Training Day, directed by Antoine Fuqua. He played the corrupt LAPD detective Alonzo Harris, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and sparking conversations about the integrity of law enforcement. Although Washington's performance in Training Day is highly praised, some have questioned the portrayal of a morally ambiguous Black character instead of a positive one.

Malcolm X, while not flawless, was undeniably a positive influence, as evidenced by the lasting impact of his work on people of all backgrounds. Alonzo, portrayed in Training Day, may have delivered memorable quotes, but the character represents a corrupt cop perpetuating harm in communities of color. Despite the controversy, Denzel Washington's win for Training Day was justified, although many believe his performance in Malcolm X was more deserving of an Oscar.

You can watch Malcolm X on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Editor's P/S:

The article effectively highlights Denzel Washington's exceptional talent and the unfortunate snub he faced for his portrayal of Malcolm X in the 1992 film. It argues that Washington's performance was deserving of an Oscar, despite the controversial nature of the character. The author presents a compelling case, citing the film's exploration of complex themes and Washington's transformative performance.

However, the article could delve deeper into the reasons behind the Academy's reluctance to award Washington for his role as Malcolm X. Exploring the political and social climate of the time, as well as the Academy's history of conservatism, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the decision. Additionally, discussing the impact of Washington's performance on the film's reception and its legacy would further emphasize the significance of his work.