It’s been over 20 years and Training Day remains one of the benchmark roles for Black actors.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the 2001 film follows rookie Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) on his first day with the LAPD’s tough inner-city narcotics unit.
The morals of the rookie cop will come into play the longer he follows his corrupt commanding officer, Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington).
Now, Denzel Washington was an established name before taking one of his more iconic roles as Glory was the film that earned him his first Academy Award.
However, in one of the rare moments in cinema, a Black actor got a chance to showcase his talents in a lead villain role, and it helps that Alonzo Harris just so happens to be a corrupt police officer.
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