Denzel Washington is an actor, director, and producer whose knack for taking Hollywood down the lanes of period dramas is widely famed. The 68-year-old has starred in several heart-wrenching and poignant dramas from across human history. Moreover, he is beloved by many for his talent for evoking raw emotions among his viewers. An exemplary highlight was on prime display with his 2016 movie, which has won several awards.

The movie sets out on a mission to make the viewers feel as if they are in the scene and it has succeeded mainly as audience reactions range from awe-stunned silence to cries of pain.

A gut-wrenching directorial masterpiece is now streaming on Netflix

Denzel Washington must have felt his heart out while directing the 2016 movie, Fences, for the themes that it brought upon touched right into every nook and cranny of the viewers’ hearts. Based on a Pulitzer-prize-winning drama of the same name by August Wilson, Washington’s portrayal and bringing it to life is nothing short of a spectacle. The movie also stars Washington’s frequent collaborator, Viola Davis, and progress while centering around the themes of love, betrayal, racism, and emotions in the most touching of ways.

The cast, which beautifully narrates the story of infidelity, father-son relationships, and society’s harsh, blatant reality, moved audiences to tears. Remarkably, some of the performances were so heart-wrenching that a few viewers felt the need to close their eyes as they played on screens. The direction and cinematography by Washington involved long takes to have the actors shine in every scene. 

Additionally, the visual contrast that the movie brings with its photography spurs life into an otherwise lost history. The movie went on to win several nominations and awards, including an Oscar for Viola Davis and an AFI Award for Movie of the Year. A movie for those who truly believe in cinema, Denzel Washington gave his best acting and directorial performances in Fences. The movie is now streaming on Netflix.

However, Denzel Washington’s tryst with period dramas was never over with Fences. The actor, director, and producer also nurtured another masterpiece that marked the last performance of Marvel’s late Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman.

A Denzel Washington production marked the final performance of the late Chadwick Boseman

Denzel Washington once again took out a play from August Wilson in 2020 with director George C. Wolfe in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Featuring Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman, the movie received widespread critical acclaim and immense praise from the viewers. Featuring on the list of one of the best African-American casts in an ensemble, the movie ticked every right box. 

Again riding on Washington’s signature camera styles and excellent narratives, the movie was once again, just like Fences, a very moving piece. The acting by Boseman was unparalleled, as he leveraged every scene to its maximum potential. Also, Viola Davis gave her best performance yet with an emotional stir to the heart. Overall, Denzel Washington’s style, talent, and ability to tug on viewers’ hearts are a rarity in original filmmaking.

Have you watched or are watching Fences or Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom? Let us know in the comments below.