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Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Blogger Michelle Monkou!
Denzel Washington as Romance Fiction Hero
In the world of the hero in romance fiction, the mold creates: the Alpha hero with his tight, athletic body, Greco-Roman good looks, and affinity with the theory that he is the center of the universe; or the Beta hero who has the Black Irish features, brooding, restrained emotion, but is an undercover babe when he thinks no one is watching.
Just when we think the mold is broken, there is another template that works for African American male heroes. Thy name is Denzel Washington.
Denzel has stepped off from a place like Mount Olympus to take his place among us mere mortals. As a young hustler in Walter Mosley’s Mo’ Better Blues, the stoic religious speaker in Malcolm X, or the wounded hero/avenger in Man On Fire, Denzel has a wide range of talent. His physical, as well as intangible, assets lend themselves to crafting a powerful, moving, and memorable hero.
Let’s examine Denzel to establish the three main ingredients in this recipe of the male character with quotes from those wonderful lips:
His Mind
In my estimation: Intelligent, Self-Reliant, Positive. In Denzel’s words: “If I am a cup maker, I'm interested in making the best cup I possibly can. My effort goes into that cup, not what people think about it.”
His Body
In my estimation: Too Darn Fab – u – lous. In Denzel’s words: “I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me - spiritually and financially.”
His Soul
In my estimation: Spiritual, Humble, Modest. In Denzel’s words: “I never really had the classic struggle. I had faith.”
And that’s my ode to Denzel! Thanks for the inspiration for my September release – Straight To The Heart. Omar Masterson would be nothing without you.
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Hey Michelle!
I like Denzel a lot -- though I have to admit I like D.B Woodside even more -- he played Principal Wood on Buffy, and he was pretty hot.
I like the cup sentiment. ;) That's a difficult mindset for an actor, or writer, for that matter, where so much of our work depends on what people think of what we do...
Sam
Inspiration indeed!
If anyone needs inspiration it doesn't get any better than Denzel! :-) In the interview's I've seen him in he seems so down to earth! So many celebs these days are any thing but!
He does not have to flaunt it, but everybody knows he's got IT! He oozes strength and confidence!
I just read the excerpt from the book over at Amazon, it sounds good, I'll have to go order a copy!
Hi Michelle! It's great to
Hi Michelle! It's great to see you here! Yes, I have to agree with you on all counts! If there's a Denzel movie on, I definitely have to watch it. He's a wonderful actor and totally gorgeous. I loved him in The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts. Can you imagine having him around to watch over you?? Yum. But another, big part of his appeal is the integrity and dignity he displays in his private life. You'll never hear about him being caught in the back seat of a car with a prostitute, or being pulled over for DUI and then shooting his mouth off about idiotic things. He's a gentleman in every way.
Yes, the perfefect gentleman
Funny enough, when I was younger (in my 20s-30s), he wasn't my hottie. But now that I'm maturing, I'm appreciating tangible and intangibles to being a man. That's what I'm hoping for with all my heroes.
Michelle
Denzel Rocks!!
I've had a crush on Denzel since he first played Dr Chandler on St Elsewhere (what can I say? I'm old!).
But more than that, I have a personal connection to Denzel because he bought me dinner once!!
Okay, okay, I know you're all dying to hear the story so here goes:
Once a month, all the employees at the Cadillac dealership where I worked would go to the nearby Hamburger Hamlet. This is an upscale hamburger place in LA (I don't know if there are any outside Los Angeles).
One time we'd gone and because it was a large group, we had several tables all pushed together. I was sitting kind of at a corner so it was awkward.
St Elsewhere had only been on for about a year and was NOT a hit. Still I saw this guy and his wife/date at another table and I thought, that looks like Dr Chandler! I kept eyeing him as I was eating.
Soon, there were several people that were approaching him. He was very gracious but you could also tell that he was trying to have a meaningful experience with the woman he was with (later, I learnt it was his wife).
Several times our eyes met and once I mouthed the words "Dr Chandler?" to him and he smiled. You know that smile! (swoon)
He got up to leave and gave me a wink (!!). He, unfortunately, didn't have to pass my table.
Anyway, we carried on and then it was time for the check. We all started to get out our wallets and the server told us that our bill had been taken care of.
The servers knew us pretty well since we were there so often and said, "A nice, black guy settled your bill and said to tell ani (he didn't know my name, of course) thanks for respecting his privacy."
So, I can say that Denzel bought me dinner once!
ani
Lucky you!
Wow - there are less than 6 degrees of separation between me and Denzel Washington!! LOL! That's a neat experience, Ani.
I've always liked Denzel in the movies, and even more so because his name isn't plastered in the tabloids. Those are some great quotes from him you found, Michelle. And I like your descriptions, too!
WOW
That is a cool story, Ani!!
Also, I agree about him being a gentleman. He sure seems down to earth,which is rare for celebs these days.
Classy!
Denzel is quite inspiring, in all the ways you mentioned, Michelle!
And Ani, what a cool story!!
I enjoy watching Denzel
I enjoy watching Denzel Washington movies. I agree with you completely, Michelle.
Way Cool, Ani
WOW - He can buy me dinner anytime.
I was working in the office building when they filmed Pelican Brief in Washington, D.C. We all tried to be cool, but then someone said they saw him and we screamed and ran out of the office.
The office had an open area, so you could sit on one side of the floor and see into the office area where he was filming a scene with John Lithgow. He waved at us and we all waved back. I think we must have looked like pigeons on a ledge.
Julia Roberts wasn't so friendly in between takes. She run to her trailer and not wave. Denzel would do his cool saunter waving and smiling.
I'd heard in the tabloids that he and his wife had problems, but he re-focused on the family and saved his marriage. Once a year (at least), they go on vacation as a family and then with his wife.
Thanks for see things my way, ladies - LOL
Michelle
Denzel - Every woman's heartthrob-mine anyway :)
Michelle, great post. I've pictured Denzel as many of my male characters because he has that "IT" factor that just won't go away. All of my friends know I love me some Denzel.
oh, nice choice.
Denzel is just beautiful. I love the quote about the cup, that's very deep, isn't it. That combination of good looks, intense masculinity and nobility of spirit... *sigh....
On the subject of beautiful African-Americans - leave off the American bit and check out the new advertising campaign with Djimon Honsou ... boy, he can model for me any day...
I hope to write a character based on Zeresenay Alemseged. When I finish with these blasted Viking heroes who refuse to co-operate!
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/168
Do you think Hollywood is finally, finally starting to grow up about colour / ethnicity and giving actors the roles they deserve? I have a bit of a soft spot for Ken Watanabe (Last Samurai) - he'd make such a great romantic lead. But it seems like they won't cast you as a lead unless you can at least fake a perfect American accent - why they can't tweak the character so they are 'from overseas' or something I don't know, I mean, people travel all the time.....
Michelle, your story sounds great. I haven't read any Kimani press yet - I wonder if they are even available here in Australia?
Universal Heroes
Love your comments. A hero has inherent qualities that are not constrained to the color of their skin or ethnic group.
Hollywood isn't generated by any other motivation, but the bottom dollar. This is why independent films have been able to squeeze past the blockbuster, shoot 'em up movies with insightful pieces and often-not-seen actors.
You might be able to get the Kimani books through Amazon if there is an Amazon Australia. I know it's available through Amazon England. Sometimes they are a month behind the release date.
Michelle
D to da W....
I love Denzel. Besides his great looks, he seems to be a caring and concerned person.
He's Genuine, nothing fake about him. He emotes this confidence yet humbleness.
aaa
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