JUST TRY TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN: DENZEL
In an interview, Denzel Washington talks about challenges he faced while playing the role of Israel, Malcolm X, and missing out on an Oscar
Three-times Golden Globe award winner and seven times Oscar nominee , American actor Denzel Washington is still trying to get better. In Dan Gilroy’s Roman J. Israel, Esq. Washington has challenged himself with one of his most complicated roles. The titular role, played by the 62-year-old, is a veteran activist attorney, who is a loping, rumpled, antisocial loner with Asperger’s Syndrome. In an interview, Washington talks about the difficult character — Israel. Excerpts:
Where did Roman’s walk come from?
I did a lot of research on the spectrum. In some people, it talked about a lack of coordination. But, only in some, not all. This attracted me for it was something I could physicalise. I don’t remember how I got to do it, but I decided to wear shoes a couple of sizes too big. It changed everything. Did you have a feeling of starting a new chapter after Fences? You spent years performing that on Broadway and directing the film adaptation.
Now, increasingly, I’m only going to do what I want to do. So I don’t know what I’m going to do next. And that’s ok. I take my time. The time I’ve left and the opportunities that I have, I understand that that’s finite. How can I be the best and where’s the new territory? Troy from Fences and Israel both share a disconnect with younger generations. Has that been on your mind at all?
It’s a fact. Whether it’s on your mind or not, I don’t remember! There’s 365 days in a year, so 10 years is about 3600 days. 20 years is about 7200 days. I’m 62 so 20 years, 7200 days, that’s not a lot of time. You don’t know how many you’re going to get. You just try to do the best you can enjoy it.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Malcolm X. Like him, you’re the son of a preacher. Do you feel as though you’ve followed in your father’s footsteps?
For a time, it sent me in another direction. That can be a pattern for preacher’s son. I had to go to church, so it wasn’t fun. I didn’t know anything different. Being a minister’s son, having grown up in the church and learned the cadence, it was probably easier to play that part. I had some idea of different rhythms.
Many expected you to win your third Oscar in February, not Casey Affleck. Were you surprised?
I’ve been around a long time. I’ve been around a while. Not to say you don’t have feelings or you’re not hurt or you’re not happy. But I’ve seen it all, I think. No, I haven’t — not the way that show ended! I haven’t seen that before!
I’ve been around a while. Not to say you don’t have feelings or you’re not hurt or you’re not happy. But I’ve seen it all, I think (On not winning the Oscar, this year) DENZEL WASHINGTON ACTOR