The Denzel Washington Movie With 89% On RT That Turned Him Into A “Movie Star,” According To Roger Ebert

Today, Denzel Washington is considered to be a certified movie star, yet some opinions may differ on when exactly the actor became so famous. Washington’s career began in the 1980s, when he earned a recurring role in the medical drama, St. Elsewhere. Just a few years later, he started taking on movie roles in major projects like Glory, Malcolm X, and Training Day. Nowadays, Washington is also known for the Equalizer franchise and his upcoming historical epic, Gladiator II. However, not many people are able to pinpoint the moment when Washington became a household name.

Many different arguments could be made about when Washington became a true movie star. Some may say that Washington’s first Academy Award-nominated role for 1987’s Cry Freedom was the turning point for the actor. Others may cite his highest-grossing movie, American Gangster, as a particularly notable time in his career. His most memorable roles as Malcolm X or Herman Boone in Remember the Titans could also be contenders. However, famous film critic Roger Ebert cites Washington’s 1989 movie, The Mighty Quinn, as Washington’s true rise to fame due to his perfect portrayal of heroic softness.

What Roger Ebert Said About Denzel Washington’s The Mighty Quinn Role

What Is The Mighty Quinn About

Despite all the arguments one could make about which movie made Washington a star, Ebert seems to pick The Mighty Quinn as his top choice. He says, “The film stars Denzel Washington in one of those roles that creates a movie star overnight.” He goes on to compare his performance in The Mighty Quinn to his powerful role in Cry Freedom, and explains that the latter “didn’t even begin to hint at his reserves of charm, sexiness and offbeat humor.” Ebert concludes by putting Washington alongside greats like Sean Connery and Michael Caine.

The Mighty Quinn is a mystery comedy thriller based on a novel called Finding Maubee by A.H.Z. Carr. The story follows police chief Xavier Quinn, played by Washington, as he helps his childhood friend, Maubee, who has become a murder suspect. Alongside Washington, the movie also stars Robert Townsend, James Fox, Mimi Rogers, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Though The Mighty Quinn may be not be the most obvious pick of Washington’s best movies, it was a well-received film that has a solid 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. Washington’s performance is most definitely a highlight.

1989 Was A Very Good Year For Denzel Washington

Washington’s Best Rated Movies Explained

Notably, The Mighty Quinn came out in a year that was particularly strong for Washington. Aside from this movie, he also appeared in the Civil War drama, Glory, in 1989. This movie earned an astonishing 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and also, earned Washington his very first Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor. Only two years prior, he received his first nomination ever for Cry Freedom. In this way, The Mighty Quinn came at a time of increasing success for Washington, though the movie itself doesn’t stand out as much as those released before and after it.

Generally, the late 1980s and 1990s were a very strong time for Washington. Though his highest-rated movies vary in terms of release year, a number of them coincidentally premiered within this time frame. For example, Glory is Washington’s highest-rated feature film of all time, according to Rotten Tomatoes. It is closely followed by 1995’s Devil in a Blue Dress and 1991’s Mississippi Masala. The Mighty Quinn ranks 10th among Washington’s highest-rated movies, which is not outstanding, but definitely says something about the importance that film had on his career.

When Did Denzel Washington Truly Become A Movie Star?

Washington’s Critical Success Vs His Financial Success

There is no solid answer for when Washington became a movie star, but a solid guess would be around the early 1990s. By this time, Washington had already established a name for himself after earning Oscar nominations in the late 1980s, so his name only got bigger and bigger with every movie he made. Furthermore, Washington was being offered characters with incredible importance, including the titular character in Malcolm X and Joe Miller in Philadelphia. This is likely when Washington transitioned from being an up-and-coming actor to a true Hollywood star.

Another element that puts Washington’s success in the 1990s is the fact that his movies began to be successful both critically and financially. While many of Washington’s early movies earned the praise of critics, they didn’t do particularly well at the box office. However, around this time, the reception of Washington’s movies began to even out. The Pelican Brief earned $195 million and Philadelphia earned $206 million. Thus, Denzel Washington cemented himself as a great actor.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes