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Denzel Washington's first film as director tells the true story of Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke), a young Sailor in the United States Navy. Following several violent outbursts he is disciplined and sent for compulsory sessions with Navy psychologist Lt. Commander Davenport (Denzel Washington). Initially uncompliant, Antwone eventually opens up and reveals a story of hardship and abuse as a child. While learning to face his demons he also learns how to love, with the help of female sailor Cheryl (Joy Bryant). And, of course, in Davenport, Antwone finds the father he never had and Davenport finds the son he always wanted. Denzel Washington has worked with some great contemporary directors - Jonathan Demme, Richard Attenborough and, perhaps most notably, Spike Lee - and given his acclaim as a powerful actor and last year's Oscar, it was only a matter of time before he would direct his own film. It is, however, often a bad idea when great actors decide that their talents will naturally cross the divide into directing, and intriguingly it is generally a move made by ego-driven actors rather than actresses (we wait to pass judgement on Kevin Spacey's forthcoming Beyond the Sea). Yet the studios seem quite willing to fund these projects, and Washington's film certainly doesn't look like it was made on a tight budget. In fact, everything about it screams "Hollywood" so loudly it makes your ears hurt. The colours are bright and glossy (even during the moments of supposed hard-hitting realism), and the camera glides and swoops with a smoothness that takes any edge off the story. The film's classical score sounds as if it comes straight out of a 'How to Write Film Music for Hollywood' manual, mercilessly trying to squeeze emotion out of almost every moment in the film. Then there are the morals of the film, which tell us that happiness is impossible unless you come from a stable and secure family background. And never forget that this is a man's world - Denzel's wife seems to just hang round the house all day looking pretty and flicking through photograph albums while her husband is out doing real work. Antwone's girlfriend is in the Navy, but she works in a bookstore and doesn't appear to go near any ships - and in her spare time she likes to hang around looking pretty. Antwone Fisher's life story is well worthy of a cinematic treatment - and this is what makes the film so infuriating. It is a real story of poverty and shocking abuse: he was born in a women's prison after the death of his father, and raised as an orphan under the care of a physically violent woman and her sexually abusive sister. Yet his personal story of triumph over adversity is so weighed down by a leaden directorial hand and Hollywood 'worthiness' as to make it becomes completely unaffecting. Strangely, Washington doesn't seem to think Antwone's tragic upbringing is enough to win audience sympathy, so Antwone's ability to draw and write 'poetry' are stressed to make him seem a better man. Similarly, when he finds his real mother, he tells her of these skills as well as his ability to speak two different languages, as if these things in themselves are proof of a man's worth. Surely the fact that he is her son should be enough? The conservative politics of the film are hidden under a thin veil of social realism: the latter half could be a Republican propaganda film for the importance of the extended family network. Spike Lee has spoken out in support of his star, saying of its poor opening week takings in America: 'It did okay but it should have done better. Black people should have come out and supported that film'. But this film is more about one individual's struggle than it is about racial struggle, and Lee has obviously chosen to ignore the film's aesthetic stodginess and Reaganite values. It makes Forrest Gump seem like gritty realism.
Reviewed by Tim Smedley
Reader comments about Antwone Fisher
Ariel O'Neil (short1s321@yahoo.com) writes:
I would like that Poem "Who Will Cry for THe Little BOy" it was nice it made me think. If you can get it for me or give me a website that i can go to so that i can view some more of his poetry i would really appreciate it. Thank You & God Bless You.
Laura Wilson (hueyg3@netzero.com) writes:
I really enjoyed the movie! I have a couple ideas for Mr. Washigton, if anyone could help me please let me know. I am not only a fan, but someone with many ideas I dont have to see him in person but would like to get in touch with him. The ideas are not to diffrent from some of the things he are already doing but also dealing that people tend to ignore that really happen in Houston Texas. I know this is probably not the right place to be sending this to or right person.
Yvonne Golding (Email address withheld) writes:
Mr. Smedley, have you forgotten that there are thousands of children out there without families? You looked too deep for political agenda and forgot the big picture. As a child advocate, I see children struggling to have a family. I do not subscribe to right wing agenda. If you spent the first four years of your life living in a hospital room, without going outside or having very much human contact, you would not feel the way you do about the movie. Remember, the young man wrote the story. Read his book and then maybe you will rethink somethings, or may be not.
Bob Carroll (recarroll@postmaster.co.uk) writes:
"Remember, the young man wrote the story. Read his book and then maybe you will rethink somethings,"
Ah, there is the rub. If the film cannot translate to the uninitiated viewer what you have taken from the book then unfortunately the film has failed. In this respect Tim Smedley's understanding of the film rings true. Perhaps the adaptation needed a more critical eye to make it work than Fisher himself and Washington did. Imagine what Spike, if he had any desire to, could have done with it?
Melissa (Shortstuffcc1@aol.com) writes:
I loved the movie and the book i feel they captured it whether is was hollywood or not. I love atwone fisher i believe thst derek luke is an excellent actor
Joćo Fernando - Brasil (zogheib2@hotmail.com) writes:
I was loving this movie till i read this critic. I am confused now. First, because i had considered the way Washington filmed it incredible. Second because i thought evryone acted perfectly. And last, but not least (as Fisher once said), because i found this movie even better than Forest Gump, the only one i had ever liked for keeping as memory. I must really know nothing about u.s. cinema.
Kimbelry Phillips Reed (kimpreed@yahoo.com) writes:
I love to watch movies based upon a true story. I actually saw the movie when it came to the cinema; however, I recently purchased the movie in order to complete a graduate school assignment. As a social worker and someone who has worked for Child Protective Services, I could really appreciate this movie and maybe the hope it may bring to those in similiar situations as Antwone was when he was caught up in various systems.
Looking at the making of this movie also helped me appreciate all of the details and diligent work that go into making a film.
Elsie L. Rogers (quallsmamie56@aol.com) writes:
The film and the book is great. I love the poem "Who will cry for me." Thank you for writing this story. I haven't found who is my father yet. But one day.
Adriana Marcondes - Brazil (adrimarcondes@mail.com) writes:
This film shows the pure reality of so many people that need help to learn about how express their feelings, but don“t have courage to ask for that!
wadih barakat (Lebanon-Zgharta) (white_bear63@hotmail.com) writes:
sometimes we say that the time of miracles went long time ago , but when we see the film or read about him or even hear his poems,we believe that God is still granting us with His generosity.(I am looking forward to having the poem"who'll cry for the little boy")
Claude Bonjour - Cyprus (cbonjour@ipcnetwork.com) writes:
I loved the movie. I use it to show to my students when we talk about dealing with difficult circumstances that have happened to us in life (childhood, etc).
The book and film speak millions. Thank you.
Leslie Zayas (fisheyepanic@sbcglobal.net) writes:
The wages of sin is death! Antwone Fisher is an Angel. The light and soul within him lifted him up and outside the circle and cycle of despair. As a child and survivor of such unglyness; i can relate to his pain and now retreat. Children are the eyes of God!
Mr Fisher if you have the oppurtunity to read this note: You were blessed with God's love and light. You and I are living proof. May God bless you and your family and give you many years of happiness and joy. May you be able to love and live a long giving life that you well diserve. Your Freind Leslie Zayas
Patti McLucas (apeppibunni@wmconnect.com) writes:
I was so touched and saddend by the movie of Antwone Fisher. In response to one reader's comments, that their are thousands of children out their in similar circumstances. That is true. However, it is inspiring, when even one, speaks up, and puts the real picture out of that kind of life, that represents many. It is inspiring and gives hope, to all that are in need of love. Antwone, God bless you and thank you. I too,would like to see a copy of the poem, "Who will cry for the little boy." if it comes on the computer.
(Email address withheld) writes:
Antwone Fisher is one of the best movies I've ever seen it really makes you think about your life and what you yourself have been through. The movie really made le think. Some of the things in the story remind me of many people I know living in the streets.
Adriana Mascha (nanimascha@yahoo.com) writes:
I really love the movie. In my opinio, it is important to see the movie but also it is better to read the book.
Antwone God bless you. Thank you very much for sharing your memories with us. Again God bless you and God bless every child who is in the same situation as Antwone.
All of us can pray for them
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