Training Day movie storyline. In Los Angeles, a city where streets are overrun by drug dealers, those who have sworn to uphold the law are breaking them to clean up the streets. Denzel Washington plays L.A.P.D. detective Alonzo Harris, a veteran narcotics officer whose methods of enforcing the law are questionable, if not corrupt.
‘Training Day’ follows Harris as he trains rookie Jake Hoyt over a 24-hour period. Ethical dilemmas arise for Hoyt as well as the audience as questions present themselves as to whether or not Harris’ methodology for ridding the streets of South Central Los Angeles of drugs is right or wrong.
Training Day is a 2001 American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua, and written by David Ayer. Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke star as two LAPD narcotics officers over a 24-hour period in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of the LAPD Rampart Division and South Central Los Angeles.
The film was released on October 5, 2001 and grossed $104 million worldwide. The film received positive reviews, with Washington’s performance being particularly praised and earned him an Oscar for Best Actor at the 74th Academy Awards. His co-star Ethan Hawke was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
About the Story
Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jake Hoyt is assigned for an evaluation headed by an experienced narcotics officer Detective Alonzo Harris. Alonzo is known to be a corrupt cop to several other narcotics officers who are also on the take. Alonzo and Jake begin the day by catching some college kids buying cannabis.
Confiscating the drugs from the kids, Alonzo tells Jake to smoke it. Jake refuses initially, but only complies when Alonzo threatens him at gunpoint. Alonzo states that refusing like this while on the streets would easily get him killed. After paying a visit to Roger, an ex-police officer turned drug dealer, Jake notices a pair of drug addicts attempting to rape a young teenage girl in an alley. Jake intervenes whilst Alonzo watches. After Alonzo scares them off, Jake finds the girl’s wallet on the ground and takes it.
Later on in the day, Alonzo and Jake apprehend a wheelchair-bound dealer named Blue, and find crack rocks and a loaded handgun on him. Rather than go to jail, Blue informs on his associate Kevin “Sandman” Miller, who is in prison. Using a fake search warrant, the two steal $40,000 from Sandman’s home. Sandman’s wife realizes the theft and calls out to nearby gang members who open fire on Alonzo and Jake as they flee.
At lunch, the two visit Alonzo’s mistress Sara and their young son. After, Alonzo meets with a trio of corrupt high-ranking police officials he dubs as the “Three Wise Men”. They tell Alonzo that they are aware the Russian Mafia are looking for him, and suggest that he skips town. Alonzo insists he has control of the situation, and trades Sandman’s drug money for an arrest warrant.
Training Day (2001)
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Eva Mendes, Jaime Gomez, Charlotte Ayanna, Seidy Lopez, Cliff Curtis, Tom Berenger, Raymond Cruz, Nick Chinlund
Screenplay by: David Ayer
Production Design by: Naomi Shohan
Cinematography by: Naomi Shohan
Costume Design by: Michele Michel
Set Decoration by: Jan Pascale
Art Direction by: David Lazan
Music by: Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre
MPAA Rating: R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: October 5, 2001
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