During the period of one day corrupt undercover cop Washington takes family-loving rookie Hawke under his wing and shows him some shortcuts to success within the job. With the promise of a quick and easy route to the top so long as he is willing to bend and break the rules, the journey descends into the illegal world of drug deals, crime and the gangland scum of suburban Los Angeles.
Denzel earned his second Academy Award for what is undoubtably one of his greatest performances.