Movie: Antwone Fisher
Starring Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant
Written and Directed by Denzel Washington
(Fox Searchlight Films)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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Antwone Fisher is the real thing. It's a story about a young black man who raised himself above the terrible hand Fate dealt him as a child, and believe me, "terrible" is no overstatement. Based on his book, "Finding Fish," Antwone Fisher's story is frank, touching and powerful in a very real way.

I won't summarize all the details because much of the film deals with Fisher's journey to discover his own worth. Suffice it to say that as the film opens he's a young man in the Navy with a big anger problem. His short fuse lands him in the office of a Navy psychiatrist, Jerome Davenport, who slowly pulls out Antwone's story.

Denzel Washington plays Davenport and he gives his usual top drawer performance, but this is also his first directing turn. He avoids the traps of too much sentimentality and makes a very honest film. Derek Luke is perfectly cast as Fisher and gives a star making performance. Under Washington's guidance, Luke is believable throughout and gives authentic touches, right down to the way he eats spaghetti in one scene. Joy Bryant plays Fisher's girlfriend, Cheryl. If anything, her role is the weakest since it's never quite established why she likes this angry young man so much, but she still lights up the screen whenever she appears. Officially the movie version is "based on" the events of Antwone's life, so I wonder if Cheryl's role is where Washington took liberties with his production. That's a minor point though; the movie is undeniably a great piece of storytelling that will shake you to the core.

I almost didn't see it because unfortunately a film like this suffers from Hollywood's penchant for hype. So many glowing words are tossed at average films that when one like this comes along there are few superlatives left, and the words, being taken with the usual grain of salt, are not believed. For example 8 Mile has also been called "powerful" and "inspiring" but it's really just a vehicle for Eminem to radiate a cyncial fuck-off attitude that we can all do without. On the other end of the spectrum Far From Heaven was also labeled "powerful" and "inspiring" but it seems stilted and preachy compared to Antwone Fisher. This film brings you an uncompromising look at the underside of culture and it will teach you things you won't forget in a few weeks. Antwone Fisher is "powerful" and "inspiring" incarnate.

The Skinny:
Am I glad I saw the film? Definitely.
Would I go to see it again? Absolutely, and I'd take as many civic leaders as I could too.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes