Training Day (2001) is a dramatic crime movie that follows the lives of two LAPD narcotics officers, played by Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke.
Ethan Hawke plays Jake Hoyt, a rookie cop eager to make a positive difference in the war on drugs in Los Angeles. He is assigned to work with Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a veteran detective known for his aggressive tactics. As they work together, Jake soon realizes that Alonzo operates outside the law, using unethical methods in their line of work.
Throughout their day, Alonzo and Jake encounter various drug dealers and gang members, exposing Jake to the harsh realities of life on the streets. Jake witnesses Alonzo’s corruption, doing things such as planting evidence and extorting money from criminals. He later discovers that Alonzo’s unethical actions are driven by a need to repay a large debt to a crime boss.
By the end of the movie, Jake faces a moral dilemma: to either go along with Alonzo’s actions or stand up against him and uphold the law.
“Training Day” portrays police corruption, and Denzel Washington’s performance earned him the Oscar for Best Actor in 2002.
Training Day (2001) Awards:
Academy Awards (74th Oscars) – 2 Nominations, 1 Win
- Won: Best Actor – Denzel Washington
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Ethan Hawke
Golden Globes (59th Golden Globes) – 1 Nomination, 0 Wins
- Nominated: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama – Denzel Washington
