Training Day: Diner Scene Analysis

In this extract from Antoine Fuqua's 2001 film Training Day, we are introduced to two cops: Alonzo and Jake. Both have very different personalities with Alonzo being the violent, manipulative one and Jake being the good, by-the-book cop. In the start of the scene we see a cook crack two eggs onto the frying pan. This symbolism is used to convey how Jake will literally get his “balls busted” by Alonzo, being humiliated by the more experienced veteran cop. This is further evident with the bacon being cooked as Jake will literally get “roasted’ as he is about to be met with someone completely out of his league, which is clear through dialogue but more on that later. This relates to the old saying, “Out of the frying pan, into the fire.”

When Jake arrives in the diner the camera pans over to the right revealing where Alonzo is seated. Alonzo is seated in one of the diner booths facing the door with no one else around with the camera filming the scene from an over the shoulder shot. The mise-en-scene here was done purposely to display Alonzo’s power, how he has control over his side of the diner. The fact that Alonzo is facing towards the door is almost like the diner is his office, his domain that Jake is entering. The diegetic police siren sounds can be hear in order to reinforce and remind us of Alonzo’s authoritative power despite his unprofessional behavior.

Going further into the scene when the two officers start conversing, we see how different the two men really are. Jake is dressed low key, very normal in order to blend in and not attract attention as a cop. He wears a t-shirt under a collared casual shirt with a hoodie and jacket , suitable to the weather outside. Jake’s choice of clothing tell us he is a humble person, with simple comfortable clothes, not showing off or trying to extend his ego, only following orders given by his superiors. Further evidence for this is when he enters the booth, Jake knocks/taps side of the booth to gain Alonzo’s attention (unfortunately he does not), making his presence aware as a show of respect.

Alonzo on the other hand, is dressed “formal” gangster-like dark clothing with jewelry. He wears black kufi (muslim hat), a pressed, long-sleeved banded-collar shirt buttoned all the way up with a silver chain and watch along with a pair of glasses. He also has a black leather jacket cut more like a suit coat than a motorcycle jacket hung to the side of the diner booth. Interestingly the micro element of Alonzo not wearing his jacket where Jake keeps his on for the entire duration of the clip displays power levels, relating back to how the booth is like Alonzo's office, therefore Jake is completely reserved, protected in this foreign domain, belong to Alonzo with his jacket off. Alonzo’s black on black clothing mentality is part of a mes-en-scene representing his inner dark personality and desire to control himself if not everything around him.

In terms of camerawork, there are multiple cuts, two shots and close-ups constantly reminding who controls the flow of the conversation such as when Alonzo makes fun of Jake’s DUI stop, he bashes his guns together, doing a little laugh while the camera cuts to a two shot, showing that Alonzo is hinting at Jake to tell the “exciting story” as he is seemingly interested due to the use of sarcasm. When Jake started talking, Alonzo immediately tells him to “Shut up”, showing how the corrupt cop is very brief and straightforward to the point.

There are other dialogue and diction choices that add to both men’s personalities. When Jake keeps on talking as a gesture of goodwill in an attempt to initiate small talk, Alonzo’s facial expressions immediately shift from being stoic to a sly grin. He tells Jake to “tell him a story” and instantly after that, he drops his friendly facade, revealing a serious, aggravated man. Alonzo’s strong control of facial expressions show his aptitude for emotional manipulation as he is able to keep up his two-faced act, resulting in Jake having to pay the bill. Alonzo's diction of vulgar words and loud volume of voice contrasts Jake’s formal and soft tone, despite encouragement indicated by Alonzo to “drop the good cop/boy scout act”, when perving about Debbie.

Alonzo then completely flips the conversation on Jake by pretending to give advice. Just as he is about to make a point Alonzo slams his fist to the table telling him to “pay the bill”. Alonzo has successfully displayed control over Jake by steering the flow of the conversation into his favor and immediately shutting Jake down by abusing his authoritative position. The audience is now familiar with Alonzo’s need to control and Jake’s seemingly casual style and are able to make plot inferences leading up to a conflict of morality between the duo based on evidence in this powerful scene alone, highlighting the truly distinct personalities of the two main protagonists.