I saw American Gangster for the first time last night. I know I am way behind when discussing the film and I really can’t excuse myself for being so late with my viewing. The movie was quite enjoyable, I think it plays upon the classic organized crime drama motif extremely well, and Denzel Washington’s acting is outstanding. It is mesmerizing to see his power and passion play out among the scenes, but it poses a unique question.

Denzel has become an icon of American film, and he has done it mostly by playing the exact same type of characters. We always see Denzel as a strong and confident man, he is usually seen as a man who exudes a certain swagger, charm, and sheer will of character that is seemingly unattainable by normal people. By playing this somewhat one dimensional style of character in most of his films (and by no way am I saying that is all he plays, his character in Philadelphia was brilliant) Denzel has solidified himself a top actor. Do you think there will ever be an actor who reaches the prominence of Denzel who plays characters that are weird, weak, and not heroic? Even when playing a villain, Denzel is viewed in a certain heroic light by the film he sits within.

There are many actors who have been honored for their portrayals of strange or off-kilter characters, but will one ever reach the iconic level of those like Denzel? I think our modern view of success and heroism would not be as responsive to an actor who played a variety of strange and unique roles, I think our popular culture is better equipped to accommodate those men like Denzel, who are seen as pillars of stability and can stick to their specific types of roles, even when they are playing antagonist, the movie still follows them like a warped protagonist. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I do think it deters actors from experimentation and innovation and keeps them in line towards specifically designed and safe acting roles, we make it easier for actors to focus on perfecting classic acting styles over and over again, so that’s what we get in modern film.