Customer Reviews

Antwone Fisher (Widescreen)

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must admit (shamefully) that this did move me to tears. It is definitely a sad story, but unfortunately it is too true, and not only in the ghettoes.

Antwone Fisher's story shows the importance of families in the emotional development of human beings at the earliest age. In a time when we have been bombarded with guilt-stories we tend to shake off what we consider as another attempt at making us feel guilty. But this story isn't about making anyone feel guilt. It shows the struggles that face people who have not had the security of a family, and it helps those who haven't experienced that sort of insecurity relate to those that have.

I'm not a big-fan of love interests either, but I think it was important to show that his girlfriend played a role in his rehabilitation. One thing I did not like about the movie was Denzel's character almost compelling Fisher to lose his virginity. I don't think this sends the right message especially to those young people who may be watching this movie, but then what movies do?

The acting wasn't bad, although the movie had that Hollywood feel to it. I think some stories get through even if they are painted with tinsel-town's brush, and for this to have been Denzel's debut as a director adds to the specialness of this movie. I hope he comes out with another one sometime soon.
On another note, it's good to see a positive potrayal of Afro-American people on film, there have been too many 'gangsta' films coming out of Hollywood of late.

Finally, watch this movie to get a perspective on your own life.

This is a very moving movie. I did not have any idea that it was in any way biographical until the end of the film. Who knows how much license has been taken and who cares. Derek Luke does a great job in portraying a talented and sensitive young man whose harsh life has trained him to lash out as his only means of protection. Denzel Washington, whom I can never not enjoy on screen, is naval doctor Jerome Davenport who is assigned to decide of Fisher should be discharged from the Navy as unfit after yet another brawl.

Davenport and Fisher develop a close relationship in a way that becomes rewarding but limiting for both, but Dr. Davenport has the professionalism to urge Fisher to seek out his real family. Fisher does and learns a lot about himself and gains some healing connections with his life.

Denzel Washington also directed this movie and I think he did a fine job. This is a good movie for young people (if not children) to watch. It can teach adolescents something about the problems and emotions they are facing.

I live in a city that is off the beaten path, especially when it comes to movies. "Lost in Translation" never came here and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" only made it to the local art theater. I remember when "Boyz in the Hood" came to town there was a story about it in the newspaper that made it sound for all the world that it was a foriegn film, and there is a sense in which that is true because the idea of living in a place where police helicopters are buzzing overhead all the time is beyond our experience. But even though films by African-American directors do not always manage to make it up this far into the Northland, I have made a point of checking them out when they are released on video and DVD. One of the main reasons is that directors like Spike Lee and John Singleton are making films that speaks to the African-American experience in America. This seems self-evident, but I have to tell you that very few movies have spoken to me directly about my life; I have identified with the television series "thirtysomething" and "Once and Again," at vastly different times in my life, more than anything else. But I can still appreciate the sense of purpose I almost always find in these films.

We have all heard the alarming statistics about how many African-American children are raised in homes without a father and the devastaing impact that has had on generations of such children, and on one level "Antwone Fisher" is about one such child. This 2003 film begins with a dream in which Antwone walks into a room and finds his entire family gathered for a big meal. Then he wakes up on the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier on which he serves. The next thing we know Antwone is getting into fights if anybody says the wrong word to him. The captain hits him with a list of punishments and also requires him to see a therapist, Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington), before the ship sails again. Antwone refuses to talk and in the tradition of "Good Will Hunting" Davenport waits him out. Eventually Antwone begins to tell his story and we learn of his horrific childhood.

Antwone's father was murdered before he was born, which was in the prison where his mother was surving time. When we see him as a boy he is in a foster home where he is abused emotionally, physically, and sexually. All of his problems stem from what happened then and Davenport helps Antwone to put the pieces together. But the final part of the healing process is Davenport's insistance that he has to go and find his family, whatever there is left to be found, and confront the last of his demons. At this point we discover that everything in the first hour-and-a-half of "Antwone Fisher" has been mere prologue to the powerful series of scenes that conclude the film.

The story behind this film is almost as impressive as the film itself. Fisher was a security guard at the Sony Studio when his screenplay was bought and Denzel Washington decided to make it in his first try at director. Then throw into the mix Derek Luke, a newcomer who was cast in the lead role and the end result is even more impressive. We are told at the end of the film that Fisher based the screenplay on his life but dramatized some of the scenes, which is always the case, though rarely admitted so boldly. Of course such a comment immediately makes your curious as to what was changed and why, but I quickly decided I did not care. That was because I liked the way the film ended and I do not care if it "true" or not because of the way it rings true, which is what matters most in film. What makes "Antwone Fisher" worth the seeing is the value it places on family, most notably by it absence, but also by the idea that it is out there if it you can find it.

This was an extremely moving story about a young man abused by women as a boy and had repressed memories which had to be worked out some way. After he is grown and in the Navy, he's sent to anger management. Goaded by some of his fellow recruits as being 'gay', he is finally seen by a Naval psychiatrist. At first, he refused to talk about his childhood, finding it too painful.

As he accepts and gets to know (even ate Thanksgiving dinner at the doctor's home) someone he feels he can trust, all the sordidness of his past is re-lived in flashbacks. After finding his soul mate, he seeks freedom from the demons of his past. They go on a journey to confront the old women who had abused him in different ways.

Like James Brown, the father of soul music, he was an abandoned child. Later, he confronts his mother who had given him away, to show her how he'd overcome the hardships imposed by her actions. She wasn't impressed that he had grown into an upright, decent person. He found her in questionable circumstances in what looked to be a crack house.

This movie is a tearjerker, according to Maxine who cried through most of it. She recommends it to all parents as a lesson about what happens when a child has no training or parental love and guidance.

The most moving film of 2002 is definately Antwone Fisher. This powerful tale of a guy who overcame all obstacles to acheive a dream and to live free is a trully remarkable one.

Clichéd down to the very dialogue, Antwone Fisher isn't much different than most biographical films. Except that this film is actually good, not mistaken for a masterpiece just because "it's sad" like most films are. Antwone Fisher is truly triumphant and life-assuring.

A lot of terrific first-timers appear in Antwone Fisher. Derek Luke (who himself has a triumphant story of getting the role) gives a fantastic first-time performance that has set him up to be a very promising actor. Also, Denzel Washington gives his directorial debut (and also his first time directing and acting in the same film) and does a good job of it.

I liked Antwone Fisher, so I'm recommending it to you. It wasn't as excellent as it could have been though, but it is a very moving and captivating story.

Antwone Fisher is the true story of a young man's life that is extremely heart wrenching, yet uplifting in the end. It is also quite indicative of the times in which we live as it tells the tale of a young man that suffers through a childhood that would've literally destroyed many people, yet Antwone Fisher survived and eventually thrived in spite of his unimaginable childhood!

As a directorial debut for Denzel Washington, this movie stands out brilliantly. Given a low film budget and the constraints that were placed on him by filming on a naval base during and after the events of September 11th, 2001, his on screen and behind the screen performances come through in the quality of this film. Derek Luke's performance as Antwone Fisher sets him apart as an outstanding actor who can easily cover the full the range of emotions that are inherent skills among the top actors in the business and he will probably feature prominently in many future roles.

The premise:

Antwone Fisher is the true story of a young man that begins on a naval vessel as we see Antwone waking up from a blissful dream yet he seems to be terrorized by the dream. He then sets off to take care of the first order of business in the daily life of the military, the public personal hygiene. Young Mr. Fisher's temper at this time is extraordinarily short as another sailor makes a racial slur and he belts him. This action immediately lands him in front of the commanding officer of the ship, for non judicial punishment, which I believe is called a Captain's Mast in the Navy. The Captain, being a good commanding officer, does his best to save Mr. Fisher's career by not having him thrown out of the Navy and instead sends him to one of the base's psychologists to make an attempt to determine where all of his anger his coming from and hopefully help him. Here is where Denzel Washington steps in as the base psychologist and his role most definitely turns out to be much more than being Mr. Fisher's psychologist.

I definitely recommend this film to any and all fans that are interested in a good drama that will definitely carry you through the whole range of emotions, from being appalled to being quite happy for this extraordinary man, Antwone Fisher. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

- Full length Audio Commentary by Director/Actor Denzel Washington and Executive Producer, Todd Black
- "Meeting Antwone Fisher" Featurette
- "The Making of Antwone Fisher" Behind the Scenes Featurette
- "Hollywood and the Navy" Featurette

Antwone Fisher tells the real life story of the title character. A young black navy seaman faces his tough and miserable past with the help of a caring navy psychologist and then sets out to change his situation by confronting his inner struggles and finding the love of the family that he never knew.

The film is beyond brilliant. Denzel Washington, hot off of his Oscar winning performance in Training Day, scores big with Antwone Fisher. He not only stars as the psychologist, but directs this flawless drama in his first ever debut in the director's chair. Derek Luke, a name that is destined to shine in years to come, portrays Fisher with such conviction that he successfully steals the show in the scenes he's in with Denzel.

The film is very heartfelt. It will bring tears to your eyes.

A very recommended movie.

A+

Antwone Fisher is a surprisingly good movie in light of its unlikely subject matter. Most movies centering around psychologically troubled persons that are not crime dramas are just simply not very good. Antwone Fisher rises above the rest and is a very good movie.

The reason for this is that the movie is an autobigraphy of a real life person. Antwone Fisher served in the U.S. Navy and had a productive relationship with a Navy shrink played by Denzel Washington.

This movie boasts an excellent script and cast to match.

I recently saw this film about the life and times of Antwone Fisher. As a grown man I found myself weeping at certain points in the movie especially Fisher's early years of physical and sexual abuse. You can understand why he was so explosively angry. The film was directed by Denzel Washington who did a brilliant job...

I hesitated in seeing this movie since I really prefer the lighter stuff eg. action/adventure/martial arts and so on. I try to avoid the heavy emotional films. However I'm glad I finally decided to see it. It tells the story of an ill tempered Navy seaman and his struggles to cope with the result of a childhood full of abandonment, rejection and abuse. Unwilling to admit to himself that he needs to get quite a few thing out of his system he repeatedly embarks on behavioural patterns that gets him into trouble with Navy authorities. Things start to unravel when he is ordered to have psychiatric sessions. I love this story since it shows that running away from problems is not going to solve them and that it's never too late to try and get help. Truly a touching story that teaches us some of life's many lessons