[Critique Livre] Denzel Washington, in all (s) conscience (s)

In 2020, The new York Times elisted Denzel Washington “Best actor from the 21st century”. A highly symbolic title which testifies to the never denied popularity of the actor, but also of his role as a model for the new Hollywood generation.

Washington’s career first strikes with the extreme conscience that animates its choices of roles, its way of composing complex roles which are not only defined by being African-Americans and the finesse of your game on the screen. First book in French devoted to the star, Denzel Washington, in all (s) conscience (s) of Jacques Demange endeavors to study these different strata, highlighting their constancy as their evolution.

A style of interpretation screened

To say that this work is complete would be an understatement. Jacques Demange analyzes Washington’s game through several specific themes. After a return to the history of African-American actors, he underlines how Denzel Washington wanted to trace his own way, by refusing any comparison with his predecessors like Sidney Poitier or Eddie Murphy.

Throughout his filmography, the actor alternates between consumer cinema and more demanding choices: Shakespeare adaptations (Macbeth), biopics (Cry Freedom, Malcolm X, Hurricane Carter), thrillers (Bone Collector, Training Day), westerns (The seven mercenaries), historical films (Glory), peplum (Gladiator II), science-fiction (Eli’s book) or intimate dramas (Philadelphia, Fences).

But more than a simple rereading of his career, Demange’s analysis lingers on the precise mechanics of the acting: posture, gestures (even tinylival), phrasing, smile … Washington builds his characters in the smallest detail without changing his physical appearance in a spectacular way. A subtlety approach that reveals a huge variety of game.

A rigorous but accessible analysis

The work is distinguished by the rigor of its analysis. Well structured in chapters and sub-chapters, it makes it possible to follow the evolution of Denzel Washington while highlighting its constants, its variations, and the intelligence of its artistic choices both on its roles and on its collaborations with directors like Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua or the Scott brothers.

Jacques Demange does not forget to approach the cultural importance of Washington, a true cornerstone for contemporary African-American actors. Through his personal choices and his artistic requirement, he inspired a whole generation of performers such as the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan or ink his son John David Washington.

Be careful, however: Denzel Washington, in all (s) conscience (s) offers a particularly excavated analysis of acting work. If you are not familiar with this type of approach, you could be a little confused. But for lovers of cinema, acting or young actors, these 250 pages read extremely easily. Supported by a clear construction, great precision of analysis and numerous illustrations, Jacques Demange’s work is a fascinating dive in the art of an actor who has marked his time with a rare requirement.