Has Denzel Washington Gotten the Credit He Deserves?

American Gangster is lining up to be a great movie. The combination of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe along with other good actors such as Cuba Gooding Jr. has lots of Oscar talk surrounding this movie. But with yet another great performance by Washington sure to come many wonder has he truly gotten his just do in Hollywood. With so many great performances to his credit, Washington has only received an Oscar as a lead actor for his performance in Training Day. While this was a good performance many would agree that it is not near his best. Has Hollywood overlooked Washington. Here is some food for thought.

Early in Denzel's career he had two performances that were Oscar worthy. In the movie Philadelphia Washington played along another great actor in Tom Hanks. Washington plays a lawyer who defends Hanks character Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer who has AIDS. Beckett is fired from his firm when they learn of his condition. Washington turned in an amazing performance that really overshadowed an average script. Denzel gave another incredible performance in the movie the Hurricane. In this movie Washington played a boxer who was falsely accused of a murder. The movie details the life of Ruben 'Hurricane' Carter and how he fought to get out of jail. Washington turned in an amazing performance virtually transforming himself into the "Hurricane." With every scene you feel Washington is Ruben Carter. Washington delivers an incredible performance in one scene in which he refuses to put on inmate clothes even after being in the 'hole' for weeks. Despite such incredible performances Washington received no Oscar's.