After rewatching Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” last week, I came to the conclusion that A) although clever, the screenplay was a tad too convoluted and, more importantly, B) John David Washington is just not that good of an actor to carry such a film.
Like other Nolans, “Tenet” felt like a woefully classic case of putting concept over story, but it could have still turned out okay if we had a lead actor carrying us through all of the string-pulling.
Many months ago, I agreed with CineVue’s John Bleasdale who tweeted “John David Washington is not a great actor”. He isn’t. He might be competent enough for certain roles, but he couldn’t save “Tenet.”
Washington’s work in Spike Lee’s “Blackkklansman” was decent enough, but he had a good screenplay to work with and, although he was the lead character in that film, he didn’t come close to giving the best performance.
Fact of the matter is that Washington was in over his head in “Tenet,” his line delivery was awkward and he just couldn’t carry the story. Christopher Nolan giving him the lead role stands as one of the more baffling casting decisions of these last few years.
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 “Amsterdam,” his chemistry with Margot Robbie is also incredibly cold. There was no yearning, no desire or depth of feeling.
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 tries too hard.
Which is not to say that he’s the only problem in “Tenet,” but he’s a glaring one, I couldn’t help but notice the awkward nature of the performance and that it kept pulling me out of the movie.