Denzel Washington Gets Real About Why He Hasn’t Watched Malcolm X Or Any Of His Movies In Their Entirety

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As a longtime fan of Denzel Washington, I wholeheartedly agree that he is one of the most captivating actors of our time. His performances are nothing short of epic, and his versatility as an actor makes each role unique and memorable. However, after reading about his reluctance to watch his own movies, I found myself nodding in understanding. As a fellow artist who has dabbled in various creative pursuits, I too can relate to the self-critical nature that comes with creating something and then scrutinizing it for flaws.

Without a doubt, one of the outstanding actors of the 21st century is Denzel Washington. With box office earnings surpassing $2 billion and fans anticipating exceptional performances from him, it’s not hard to become a fan. Interestingly, despite having some of his best roles on constant replay, the Golden Globe winner admitted that he doesn’t usually watch all of his films, including ‘Malcolm X’, in their entirety.

Denzel Washington consistently delivers stunning performances in movies like Malcolm X, Training Day, Flight, and many more. His commanding voice and remarkable talent for embodying characters make watching him a delightful experience. However, despite being a favorite among film enthusiasts, Washington himself admitted to The Times that he seldom watches any of his own films from beginning to end.

I need to observe something to speak knowledgeably about it, but I’ve never watched a movie from my past in its entirety, not even Malcolm X. It seems like all you can spot are mistakes instead of appreciating the whole picture. Furthermore, why engage in such an activity at all?

I absolutely understand Denzel Washington’s perspective. If I were in his shoes, I’d likely feel the same way, watching myself on screen and wishing for a chance to redo some parts. It demonstrates that even highly accomplished individuals like him, who have won numerous awards, can still harbor self-doubt when it comes to their own performances. Given Washington’s exceptional talent as an actor and director, it’s not surprising that he would be keen on refining his performance, just as any other director would for their actors.

Some performers might follow unique guidelines when viewing their own movies, such as Keira Knightley who watches her films just once, or Adam Driver who frequently re-watches himself to improve his acting. However, actors like Denzel Washington contemplate the mental process they’d undergo if they were to watch one of their films in its entirety.

Gosh, didn’t I nail it there? I can’t help but feel proud of that one – might need to reuse it someday!

Back in 2021, Denzel Washington shared that he rarely revisits his past films, and the last one he watched was “The Tragedy of Macbeth” to gear up for discussing it. Just like how he put it, I prefer to keep my focus on what’s ahead instead of dwelling on the past.

Even if Washington is close to retiring after acting for nearly 50 years, we still have Gladiator II to see him give a sure-fire memorable performance as Macrinus. Not to mention, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient also has plenty of projects for us to look forward to seeing him in like Spike Lee’s High and Low, the Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Othello, and his involvement in Black Panther 3. It looks like there’ll still be plenty of Denzel Washington to go around.

Although Denzel Washington himself might not watch entire films he’s starred in, that doesn’t deter fans from doing so. With “Gladiator II” (a part of “Wickediator”) hitting screens this weekend, I’m sure audiences will eagerly await it, knowing Denzel Washington will put his best effort into portraying Macrinus. Catch Washington in the 2024 theater release of Ridley Scott’s sequel, “Gladiator II,” now.

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2024-11-25 03:07