Antwone Fisher (2002)
Fight fear. Face truth. Embrace life.
Starring: Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Malcolm David Kelley, Cory Hodges, Joy Bryant, Salli Richardson, Leonard Earl Howze, Kente Scott, Kevin Connolly, Rainoldo Gooding, Novella Nelson, Stephen Sneldon
Director: Denzel Washington
Running Time: 120 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Drama
On DVD Antwone Fisher, don'tcha know, is a real bloke. He wrote and co-produced this film which, in case you hadn't deduced from the title, is based on his own life - though how much of it is fictionalised is something we can only really take a wild guess at. That's not to say that slipping in a few porkies here and there is any sort of crime, provided the end product is a film that's worth watching - and this one, I'm happy to say, very much is.
Derek Luke makes a sparkling debut as Navy man Antwone, who's sent to see shrink Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington) after giving one of his superior officers a good smack in the chops. Sensing that all is not ship-shape, Jerome gradually breaks through Antwone's stubborn exterior and coaxes out of him tales of a tortured childhood. And, as Antwone tells of being shunted between orphanages, foster homes, reform schools and shelters in his early years, the two begin to form a remarkable bond.
Washington, making his directorial debut, displays a refreshingly simplistic approach to story-telling. Originality isn't one of the tale's strong points, but it's told and performed so well that it stands out from the many others to have covered similar ground. His own performance in the film is confident and reliable as ever, but he's over-shadowed on-screen by a hugely-convincing Luke making his first ever big screen appearance.
The rest of the cast is also largely unknown but, like Luke, do themselves proud with their handling of the subject matter. Joy Bryant is fantastic as Antwone's blossoming love interest, with her and Luke displaying the kind of natural on-screen chemistry rarely seen among many far better-known players. Young Malcolm David Kelley is also deserving of a mention for his not-inconsiderable role as Antwone at age seven.
It's a movie that'll jerk a tear or three, and it's nice to come across a drama that manages to do so without departing too far from conceivable reality. If weepies aren't your thing then I'd normally advise staying well clear of this sort of stuff, but 'Antwone Fisher' handles its material so well and with such an unusually high level of dignity that I'd happily recommend it to anyone.
DVD Extras: Commentary with Denzel Washington and co-producer Todd Black, and 'Meeting Antwone Fisher' - which is a fairly run-of-the-mill behind-the-scenes thingy, accompanied by some ridiculously patriotic music, images of billowing US flags and random sailors standing to attention.
It's Got: An unfamiliar cast (Denzel excepted) that's well worth discovering.
It Needs: A co-commentary from Antwone himself would have been an interesting addition to the DVD.
Alternatives: Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, Training Day
Summary: Up-beat but not sickeningly so, this is a well paced and terrifically performed first stint in the director's chair for Denzel Washington.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 13th October 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
Antwone Fisher at the IMDB
Comments3 Comments |
| Antwone Fisher is by far the most moving picture I have seen in a very long time. Its the up to date version of The Colour Purple with the fab Derek Luke instead of Whoopi Goldberg. Derek Luke heads up a terrific cast including Denzel Washington (Davenport) who is fantastic as ever who in some ways takes a back seat and allows for Luke (Antwone)to give a compeling preformance. The movie has an amazing effect in a way that it will engrose you to the point were each blow Antwone takes you can't help but feel aswell it will have you feeling every emotion from sadness to joy and back again. The movie starts with a lost and alone boy with no were to turn and no one to love who takes everything the world throws at him a shows us how with strong will you can grow into a fine outstanding man who rises above the harsh reality of the world in order to find his way in life. |
| Comment by:- Christopher Thompson | | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| I was so moved by this movie, I guess its because it kind of reflects to my life too. All my childhood I grew up without either my parents. It was so depressing, still is. I have so many questions which on one has bother to answer. Finally I was reunited with my mother at the age of 19yr,i am now 21 and we have never talked about why no one was in my life because she wont answer nothing. My father is finally picking interest in getting to know me but it's really the same story with my mother he wont say nothing. I feel I am torn in between the two and no one seems to care that I am hurting. I know I should move on but it's destroying my life. Thanks Antwone for being such an inspiration, I guess I have a family out there after all which I know some day I will get to meet. Like I no nothing of my father's side. |
| Comment by:- Janet | | 17 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Antwon I know that you may not read this. My name is Christina Elkins and my grandmother is Annette Brewer. I apologize for her attitude she can be hard on us but its her way of showing love. I am a college student here in Cleveland but I was born in Texas. my major is journalisim minor physical therapy. My email is stinabean_19@yahoo.com. I am a runaway I left my domestically violent home at the age of 14 due to abuse. i dont know if your gonna get this but i hope so . you inspire me I really felt the homelessness. My mother dropped me off at a shelter Covenant House Texas. I cried on that insert in you book. You inspire me. It was also good to learn about the missing links from my family |
| Comment by:- Christina Elkins | | 18 October 2004 | ip: logged |
