A History of Violence

And the Oscar goes to!...........With the Academy Awards just months away, the general public and movie critics alike have predicted Denzel Washington will receive his 6th Academy Award nomination for his role in American Gangster. The film was arguably this years' most anticipated release and raked in over 40 million dollars at the box office opening weekend.

In American Gangster, Denzel Washington portrays Frank Lucas who was one of the biggest drug dealers this country has ever seen. The film follows Lucas's ascent to the top of New York City's crime hierarchy to his ultimate decline and destruction. Washington's fiery portrayal of Lucas immediately drew comparisons to his electrifying performance as Alonzo Harris in 2001's Training Day. Denzel collected his first Best Actor Oscar for this film and became only the second African-American actor to attain the academy's ultimate prize.

Many in the black community were not pleased when Washington received his first Best Actor Oscar for portraying the corrupt and menacing Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day. Meanwhile, fans and critics instantly pointed to Washington's star turns in 1992 as Malcolm X and in 1999 as wrongly imprisoned boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter as being performances Denzel should have won his first Best Actor Oscar for. The masses cried foul when it took playing a villain for only the second African-American actor to capture the golden statue for a leading role.

While Washington did have a previous body of work that warranted a Best Actor award, his turn in Training Day falls right in line with some of the most heralded performances and characters in film history. Many of these performances have led to numerous awards, nominations and Best Actor awards.

In 1973, Marlon Brando, who is thought of as the greatest actor of all time, received his second Best Actor Oscar for portraying Don Vito Corleone in 1972's The Godfather. His portrayal of an aging crime boss is thought of by many as one of the greatest characterizations in film history. Two years later, Robert DeNiro won his first Oscar for portraying the younger version of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. Both Godfathers won Best Picture Oscars, cementing them in history as two of cinema's greatest films.

Who can forget Al Pacino's unforgettable performance as Tony Montana in 1983's Scarface. Pacino was electric as an unstable, arrogant and abrasive cocaine-dealing drug lord. Although the film did not net any Academy Award nominations, Pacino's performance did lead to a Best Actor Golden Globe award nomination. Goodfellas, released in 1990, won Joe Pesci his first Oscar for his over-the-top performance as Tommy DeVito.

Funny enough, the portrayal of one of cinema's ultimate villains lead to a Best Actor Oscar. Anthony Hopkins turn as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs led to his first ever Oscar. Not only was Lecter a serial killer but he was also a cannibal who enjoyed eating his victims. This film went on to capture Best Actress, Director, Screenplay and Picture Oscars at the 1992 Academy Awards.

Not only may Denzel Washington earn his 6th nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards, he may win his second Best Actor Oscar for American Gangster. Yes, it is another villainous role, but not one that is anything out of the ordinary for American cinema.

When Denzel decides to retire from acting, his career will not be defined by his (possibly)two Best Actor Oscars for playing the bad guy. It will be defined by his talent and passion for the craft of acting. If Denzel wins the golden statue come 2008, it won't be the first time the award is won for portraying an American Gangster.

Majority Mind Questions
What are your thoughts about actors of any racial background being typecast into certain roles?
Do you recall any other movie stars that only seem to be recognized or awarded when they play particular types of characters? And more importantly, does this take anything away from the actor or does it add a stigma to their acting persona?
What movies do you think would have been better or worse if different actors or actresses were featured in them and why?