Washington brings depth to `Devil in a Blue Dress'

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RATING: * * * *

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by David Gaskey

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Devil in a Blue Dress is set in 1948. Denzel Washington ( Malcolm X, Pelican Brief, Glory ) stars as Ezekiel "EZ" Rollins, a soldier returning home from World War II only to find himself unemployed with a mortgage to pay. He becomes involved with a businessman (Tom Sizemore) who offers Rollins a great sum of money if he will locate the missing girlfriend (Jennifer Beals) of a wealthy Los Angeles. mayorial candidate who had consequently dropped out of the race. However, things are much more intricate than they appear. Rollins soon discovers, after he's implicated in two related murders, that he is in way over his head, so he calls up a gangster friend from Houston (Don Cheadle) to come help. The two then work together to find a way out of the labrynth (and make some money along the way if they can).

The numerous twists and turns in the plot as it becomes more complex are sometimes a little difficult to follow, but they make the story all the more interesting. Denzel Washington's performance here far surpasses his work in Malcolm X ; it may even be his best yet.

In this film he is more of a "real" person rather than just a part in a script, in contrast to some of his previous roles. In addition, Sizemore makes a believable gangster and adds character to the film. However, as Washington's sidekick, "Mouth", Don Cheadle ( Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Hamburger Hill) provides the comic relief and really steals the show.

Compared with the strengths of Cheadle, Washington and Sizemore, Jennifer Beals makes a poor attempt at good acting. The majority of her dramatic scenes remind you of a soap opera character, not the real person she is trying to portray.

Devil in a Blue Dress conveys themes ranging from the need for self-sufficiency to the need for friends. The historically accurate film deals with the issue of racism, which is prevalent in the movie.

Rather than being a movie that will ignite riots as Malcolm X did, Devil in a Blue Dress emphasizes the commonality between people of different races. It also expresses and acknowledges the often close-minded social views of people who cross the line that separates cultures. The movie does this without portraying either blacks or whites as the "bad guys" or as the problems in society. This is also the first movie I have seen that shows that members of both races face discrimination by society, although in different ways. The film also satirizes modern politics, even the O.J. Simpson trial.

Devil in a Blue Dress is a crowd pleaser. Throughout the movie, expect a few roars of laughter from the audience and even a few whimpers during suspensful scenes. In addition, as a Denzel Washington movie, it stands to benefit from a loyal following that has accumulated since he has begun to undertake more substantial roles.

So, if you have some spare time after it opens, spend a couple of dollars and see this film. It will be worth the money.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the September 22, 1995 issue.

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