“We don’t have a Vietnam or anything,” says director Fuqua (The Replacement Killers) of this drama set amid the L.A. drug scene. “So this is what’s happening today that affects everybody.” In the film, a rookie undercover narcotics cop (Hawke) is introduced to the inner-city beat by a veteran officer (Washington). Over the course of a day filled with drug busts, sexual assault arrests, and encounters with informants (real-life Bloods and Crips appear as extras), it becomes clear that Washington’s character has crossed over to the dark side himself, presenting a conflict for the idealistic young cop. Fuqua was amused by some of the reactions to gangland, where they filmed. “Certain people felt threatened, and to hear them afterward saying, ‘Oh, it’s great, the kids were great’—you’re like, ‘What did you expect? To be eaten, boiled, shot, gang-banged?’ ” The soundtrack features cuts from hip hop artists who also act in the film, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, and Macy Gray.
Brothers in Arms: A former leader of the Crips and a former LAPD narc consulted on the film. The two had encountered each other in their previous lives, but “now they were both working in Hollywood and couldn’t be friendlier,” says producer Jeffrey Silver (Ready to Rumble).
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Training Day
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Robert Duvall, Kimberley Elise, Eddie Griffin, Shawn Hatosy
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
(Warner Bros, September 21)
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Copyright © 2008 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.