I agree with CineVue’s John Bleasdale who tweeted “John David Washington is not a great actor”.
I’ve been saying this for around three years now. Washington’s work in Spike Lee’s “Blackkklansman” was more than sufficient, but Washington had a great screenplay to work with and, although the lead character, he wasn’t even close to being the standout in that film.
Fact of the matter is that Washington is not yet ready to be a lead actor. Not at this point in his career. One of the more baffling casting choices of these last few years was Christopher Nolan giving him the lead role in “Tenet,” what’s even more puzzling is that the more talented Robert Pattinson played sideman to this guy.
In films like “Monsters And Men”, “Malcolm & Marie”, “Beckett” and “Tenet”, Washington can’t seem to grasp the subtlety and voice control needed for a great performance. In his latest film, “Amsterdam,” his chemistry with Margot Robbie is cold. There’s no yearning in their romance.
I guess the problem is that you can clearly sense that Washington wants to have as indelible an on-screen presence as his legendary father, but he can’t (and never will). He lacks Denzel’s charisma. Junior is flat and dry on screen — he just tried too hard.