Antwone Fisher (2003)

Autobiographical movies rarely get more truthfully moving than Antwone Fisher. The title is also the name of this fine drama's first-time screenwriter, a former Navy seaman who was working as a film-studio security guard when his life-inspired script was developed as Denzel Washington's directorial debut. This Hollywood dream gets better: unbeknownst to the filmmakers, Derek Luke--a newcomer who won the title role over a throng of famous contenders--was also a friend of Fisher's, and the whole film seems blessed by this fortunate coincidence. Washington's sharp instincts as an actor serve him well, as both a subtle-handed director and Luke's costar playing Jerome Davenport, a Navy psychologist assigned to assess Fisher's chronic violent temper. Their therapy sessions prove mutually beneficial, as this touching true story addresses painful memories, broken desires, and heartfelt reunions without resorting to a contrived happy ending. Fisher's good life is worth celebrating, and Washington brings a delicate touch to the party. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Never Received the Item

I never received the item. The seller has not yet responded to my e-mail requesting a decision. This is the first time this has happened to me and my disappointment is not with Amazon, but the seller for the unprofessional and lazy business practices.

I needed the DVD for a class project and had to make other arrangements (plan B). So some time was wasted and I was inconvenienced by the lack of responsiveness of the seller. November 19, 2008

the trouble with foster care

The trouble with foster care is that too many do it for the money and not for the love of children.This sad story of one little boy's journey thru the systrem ,sadly,is not that unusual.He happened to have the talent to convey his suffering on paper and tell it to the world ,but there are so many who bear the scars who do not sell their story .The system is broken and needs to be fixed.Everyone should see this movie to have a better understanding of the children who survive foster care.Perhaps it would inspire good people to become foster or adoptive parents.There,of course,are some great foster parents out there but too many like the ones in Antwone's story. October 20, 2008

A little too thick Mr. Washington.

Antwone Fisher is a good film based on a true story but Denzel Washington's directorial debut is a bit much and soapy. The acting is great from Washington and Derek Luke but the way the movie is portrayed is unsettling and emotionally draining. The story of Antwone Fisher is heartbreaking but I just feel this film is one-sided. Good story, bad execution. September 25, 2008

REALLY GOOD FILM

ANTWONE FISHER

Man Denzel really did a great job on his directorial debut; this was a great film and a real emotional story. I remember seeing this film when it first came out on DVD and thinking that I missed out on a great theatrical experience. This has got to be one of the better directorial debuts from an actor. Denzel really surprised me with this film as far as the filmmaking, because I knew he would be great in this film as an actor.

The film is the real life story of one Antwone Fisher obviously and what a story it is, so good he got hired to write it while working as a security guard at a studio lot. The film is a flashback/present day setting in which the hot tempered Fisher is sent to the Navy psychiatrist in order to stay in the Navy. It is here that Antwone is forced to tell his story but it is also here that Antwone learns to deal with that same story. I can honestly say that the things that happened to this man are horrible and will at times leave you wanting to cry. The things his foster family did to him are horrendous and no child should have to go through that, by the end when he is confronting all that plagued him you will no doubt be cheering for him. The real life Antwone wrote a marvelous screenplay that only he could obviously but none the less it was great, in fact he is still a screenwriter now for such films as ATL.

Derek Luke is excellent in the title role as he not only has to deal with Mr. Washington but also with shipmates that only further his problems. Luke portrays Fisher perfectly as he will bring a lot of emotion out of you with his performance. Same can be said for Malcolm David Kelley and Cory Hodges who play Fisher as kids, Kelley at age 7 and Cory at 14 and both of which do an outstanding job. In fact a lot of the most emotional scenes happen when he is younger; Kelley's scenes in particular can be hard to watch at times. Of course Denzel Washington is great as Dr. Jerome Davenport who is the man that turns Fisher's life around while at the same time Fisher turns his around as well. Denzel shines in this role as is Salli Richardson who plays his wife. The scenes with these two are great because the characters are going through one of the worst things that could happen to a couple, they can not have kids and he is shutting himself down. I don't think there was a weak performance in this entire film, every single person hired to act in this movie was top notch.

This was a great film to watch and enjoy but it is quite emotional and may bring tender hearts to tears, either way though I think you will enjoy this film.
September 22, 2008

Barely Scratches The Surface.....

This is the true story of a young man that is tragically abused in the foster care system by his foster family and his long journey to overcome this tragedy through the help of a caring psychiatrist and finding the love of his birth family....

For this reason I loved the movie "Antwone Fisher". However, it is difficult to portray the entire story of Mr. Fisher's life in a movie and some areas of the movie left me feeling like it was just another happy Hollywood ending.

We never learn why Mr. Fisher's birth mother never came to claim him after she was released from prison. We do see that Mr. Fisher does find and confront his birth mother, but it would have been nice to hear her side of the story in the movie instead of just hearing Antwone tell her all about how well he has turned out as a man.

Also, does Antowne Fisher end up marrying, Cheryl, his girlfriend in the movie and do they have a happily ever after? We presume that "Antwone Fisher" has overcome his anger issues, but it would have been great to know what he is doing with is life now. So many unanswered questions left hanging at the end of this movie. June 27, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...