Training Day (2001)

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua | 120 minutes | drama, crime, thriller | Actors: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger, Harris Yulin, Raymond J. Barry, Cliff Curtis, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Macy Gray, Eva Mendes, Charlotte Ayanna, Nick Chinlund, Jaime Gomez, Raymond Cruz

‘Training Day’ is by no means a ‘standard’ film about an undercover cop. Director Antoine Fuqua admitted in an interview that this film, while not his debut as he previously made ‘The Replacement Killers’ (1998) and ‘Bait’ (2000), was the first to affect him personally. The story is – at least partly – inspired by Fuqua’s own childhood in the slums of Los Angeles. ‘Training Day’ is therefore not a succession of firefights and chases.

The film asks whether it is possible to fight crime effectively without descending to the level of the criminal. Can an idealist be both a warrior and a protector? And what is the difference between good and evil? In light of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, these questions have taken on additional significance. Coincidentally, the premiere of ‘Training Day’ was postponed for several weeks because of that event. People in their blind anger might take revenge in the wrong way after seeing the film. A somewhat exaggerated reaction in our opinion, but for this reason the Americans decided to wait a little longer with the release of ‘Training Day’.

Ethan Hawke plays Jake Hoyt, an aspiring cop aspiring to be a detective in Los Angeles. The fastest way to achieve that is to join the elite squad of legendary undercover cop Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Jake is given a day to prove to Alonzo that he can do the job. The two clash quite a bit; the veteran ridicules Jake’s brave demeanor. “You’ve got to hear the street, smell it, taste it”, Alonzo urges his student. And, a little later, “This is street justice. It takes a wolf to catch a wolf… It’s ugly, but it’s like that.” And so Jake begins to learn that method—he smokes weed mixed with LSD when Alonzo tells him, “A good narcotics officer must have narcotics in his blood.” But of course things get out of hand in no time as Alonzo breaks the law more often than it should. And Jake begins to wonder what kind of hell he’s gotten into.

Ethan Hawke plays his somewhat thankless role well. He is the good, gentle guy that the viewer should identify with, according to the makers. It should come as no surprise to movie buffs that Denzel Washington, with his endless charisma, steals the show. After the many moral knights he has put down in recent years, it is a relief to see him at work as a less good Hendrik. Something he has absolutely no problem with. The role earned him his second Oscar, the first for a lead role. Although the film focuses solely on these two gentlemen, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger and rappers Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg nice supporting roles.

The film asks difficult questions and does not provide easy answers. ‘Training Day’ has just enough action to please those who like it, and just enough content to satisfy the viewer who likes complex themes. However, there is also one downside to report. The last fifteen minutes is full of clichés, tricks of the makers and illogical actions of the previously so intelligent characters – all to find a suitable ending with all the violence. However, this disappointing climax is not enough to not recommend ‘Training Day’, as the rest of the film is rock solid. It is true that, with a different ending, the film could have had a lot more impact than it has now.