SBIFF 2017 - Denzel Washington Discusses "Glory" & "Fences"

[@37Dionysos]

"Likeable" is irrelevant to the level of DW's role in "Glory." The man carries scars of slavery on his back and in his soul. He's dealing with terrible lies and pain with no other way till he joins up and fits in---in the night of singing and talking just before battle. A tremendous character.

[@kendraadams6089]

I feel it’s one of his best!

[@marchess286]

True. Except being unlikable, hateful or disagreeable was how he expressed that

[@kamuelalee]

Agreed. Denzel's character, Private Trip, is more of a victim of slavery. Its terrible system of oppression has shown him only pain, not love, and even loneliness. That's why he is the way he is at the beginning of the film. Later, he learns that he has a family in the 54th Massachusetts.

[@DigitalLazarus]

*_Silas Trip_* : One of the greatest film roles of our time. *_Glory_* still has me weeping at the ultimate sacrifice and cost of true patriotism and love of country.

[@Huntress59]

I never thought Trip was unlikeable . I thought he was a man thrown into slavery who hadn’t been broken. I thought he was angry, Justifiably so. I thought he was given an opportunity, a way, to direct his anger towards something honorably. We had never seen a black man like that, in that situation before in the movies. Most black men in slavery had been portrayed as broken and weak. I love the freshness of Trips character.

[@grod1360]

One of the greatest actors, irregardless of skin color, of our time. We are lucky to have his talent on the screen.

[@godspeed9839]

Denzel Washington is the MAN

[@Dejaelife]

A true look into African American history and in my top 5 all time best movies ever made. Denzel's character (Chip) was my favorite.

[@iamcasihart]

*Trip

[@JonBlockCreations]

Glory is my favorite movie of all time and I completely break into tears every time I see Denzel raise the flag and yell “COME ON!!” It’s the most courageous thing I’ve ever seen, to this day. I think Leonard Maltin’s “likeable” angle wasn’t the best one to come at this from. Because as others have indicated, it’s really about where the tough exterior and pain comes from.

[@Funkopopqueen-d6x]

Same and when Matthew Broderick keeps getting shot then falls 😢

[@belindapowers706]

Denzel is a fantastic actor to. Begin with!!! He's a professional! What do you w. People expect? He needs to.be respected at all times!! Love. Denzel!!! Belinda Powers

[@Ehimwema]

Great knowledge Denzel is a real professional. I hope he directs more movies

[@MorrisB3]

I love Fences. So underrated.

[@chefsize]

Yeah I don’t get the whole point about Trip being unlikable. I don’t think he was unlikable at all. He was tormented & had built a tough exterior, rightfully so. I felt terribly sorry & sad for him. And, this is the whole point, to make you understand & empathize with all of the pain and suffering caused by slavery.

[@shogun0127]

He 's unlikeable because he bullied Thomas but that changed when Thomas saved his ass in the first battle

[@DivinePearl]

He's unlikable in the POV of the other characters. We as the audience find him interesting.

[@charliehuchet]

The interviewer and his question reveal more about what he is bringing to the interview. Denzil showed his usual restraint and good judgement by not challenging the question(er). His performance in Glory said all he needed to say. Pay attention. Listen!

[@marchess286]

what do you mean?

[@zombiemom6701]

@@marchess286it’s just an anti-white comment. That’s what he means. 🙄 Trip WAS unlikable. Even others in the 54th like Thomas and Rawlings didn’t like him at first either.

[@kottonkandyx]

I liked him, he was just very angry from all he has been through which is understandable

[@mrgreenelander4952]

Its very difficult for actors to play soldiers who actually fought and died in these wars. Glory was a very sensitive topic for actors who were themselves black men and have achieved their level of success on the sacrifices of these soldiers from so long ago. Tripp was a young man who was intelligent and motivated, just angry about how he had been treated in life. In the end, the soldiers came together and jelled as a unit. By this time, very few discipline problems would have occurred as the unit members had proven themselves to each other and themselves as both men, and as soldiers

[@Ephisus]

1:05 EE-EEegecguhSomeofone of those acting teachers

[@marchess286]

of course Tripp was unlikable. He worked at being so. That's why it's a great performance. DW shows us both the hard shell and the person underneath.

[@Sean-j6ory]

It was obvious he didn’t want to talk about Glory 😂

[@aresee8208]

Why would you say that the character of Tripp was unlikeable? I never felt that way.

[@marchess286]

he bullies and insults the other soldiers.

[@seyumaiayami3536]

Likeable seems subjectable from the interviewers question. Maybe wrong wording on their part.