I watched this film again the other night, and although Hanks went through a physical transformation and played a significant dramatic role, which was against type for that time, I believe Denzel's performance was better.
I'm not saying that Hanks role was bad (it was fantastic), but Denzel's job was just stronger to me.
They're both great, and in pretty different kinds of roles, but I agree Denzel was overall a bit stronger, he was very believable in his character's growth and he really dominated the court scenes as a great advocate and how he attacked the opposing side's case.
shareYes he was great in this film. He wasn't even nominated for best supporting actor! Damn shame!
shareThey were both superb. Both are great in every role and movie they do.
shareI agree actually...looking back, I don't think there was anything that special about Hank's performance, other than that he played a gay man and it probably won him Oscar sympathy because they are liberal. Especially when you look at the stunning performance of Heath Ledger as a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain, which was a better performance in my opinion. Denzel's performance was actually the one that should have been nominated for an Oscar.
shareKeep in mind that playing a role like this in '93 was even more of a risk (especially for someone that had been known primarily as a goofy, lovable comedic actor) than in 2005 when Heath appeared in Brokeback.
Yes I agree - Tom Hanks did really well - Denzel was just even better - an Oscar winning performance indeed! (Tom Hanks is an outstanding actor and should have won for Cast Away).
shareI have to agree with you. It's unreal that he wasn't even nominated for that performance. In the opera scene alone when he's watching Andy is incredible.
shareI myself would say no, not by a long shot.
Yes, he did a great job in all the aspects pointed out, but there really was not much depth nor range in the role.
Hanks’ roll on the other hand was much more demanding.
I am watching the film as I type (Hanks just collapsed in court), and a thought just occurred to me that never had before. That being, I an trying to picture Hanks and Washington playing the other character...Washington as Andrew Becket and Hanks as his lawyer. Certainly a different dynamic.