2011 Black History Month: #23 Black Actor Performance
Danny Glover as "Roger Murtaugh" in "Lethal Weapon 4"
Taking a quick glance at my list there may be only one black/white relationship left that is better than the one between Murtaugh and Riggs from Lethal Weapon. They were together on four crazy journeys that lasted more than a decade from 1987 to 1998. However for yours truly, I only watched their final chapter together as I missed the first three Lethal Weapon movies.
Glover plays the role of "good cop" to Mel Gibson's "bad cop," and there is no questioning they certainly have a solid chemistry together. While Glover was reluctant to be Gibson's partner back in Lethal Weapon 1, by Lethal Weapon 4 they have become best friends. They play off each other perfectly, and are such a good team it almost appears that they are one entity. Glover plays it safe, Gibson is a loose cannon. Glover is a family man, Gibson is proud to be single. Glover thinks things through, Gibson goes with his gut. They couldn't be more different, but they create a dynamic duo in the police-force.
Danny Glover has never been nominated for an Academy Award, but he does have four Prime-time Emmy nominations under his belt. I've only seen two of his films since Lethal Weapon 4, and they were Be Kind Rewind and Saw, which is a shame because Glover is a good actor acting in bad movies. Lest us forget Operation Dumbo Drop and Angels in the Outfield (Joseph Gordon-Levitt sighting!). But when all is said and done on Glover's career, it will be his role as Roger Murtaugh that will be his most memorable.
Lethal Weapon 4 is one of those under-rated movies that I always enjoy watching when it is on TV, although with Joe Pesci and Chris Rock around, one could argue it's a better experience when viewed off cable. It has plenty of humor, lots of action, and a semi-decent plot all rolled into two hours.
And besides, I really wanted to include this film so I could reference It's Always Sunny "blackface" from "Lethal Weapon 5." That's a win-win.
Memorable Quotes
"Since I met Riggs, I've had my house destroyed, my car wrecked, and now my BOAT SUNK. What's left?" - Roger Murtaugh
"I'm too old for this shit." - Roger Murtaugh
Hint for #22: This is the only film that has two DIFFERENT actors on the list. This actor goes by one name, and was a scholarship basketball player at Loyola Marymount. Mad props to anyone who gets this.
Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."
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