"Antwone Fisher” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
“Antwone Fisher” is a movie based on a true story. The real life Antwone Fisher actually wrote the screenplay for this film, and it tells his story in detail. Newcomer Derek Luke plays the title role and Denzel Washington co-stars. Plus Washington made his directorial debut with this film.
Antwone Fisher (Luke) had a difficult childhood. He suffered both physical and mental abuse as he grew to manhood. When he entered the Navy he was an intelligent seaman but his background caused him problems with anger management. This resulted in his being referred to a Naval psychiatrist named Jerome Davenport (Washington).
With Davenport’s help and that of his new girlfriend Cheryl (Joy Bryant), Fisher begins to make progress. Still Davenport does not think Fisher will know peace until he finds out the truth about his parents. This results in Antwone going on a search for his past.
Derek Luke makes a remarkable first impression with this film. He brings the nuances of his character to life as well as having a commanding physical presence. He will certainly be around for some time to come and should grow even more impressive as he takes more challenging roles.
Washington is his usual competent self as Davenport. He gives Luke a strong wall off which to bounce his character. He is also impressive in his scenes with Salli Richardson who plays Davenport’s wife Berta.
Richardson makes the most of her few scenes in the movie. Having her character drop out of the film before it is over is one of the key weaknesses in the script and direction of the film. Washington, the director, should have had more insight into what an audience would enjoy. This would require keeping Berta’s story going until the end.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild violence.
“Antwone Fisher” is a compelling story but not an entirely satisfactory one. Somehow the heart of the story keeps getting lost in the telling. There is a remoteness that sets in that never allows the audience to fully know and feel what Antwone Fisher is going through in his life. Plus the resolution of the story comes too easy and too fast.
I scored “Antwone Fisher” a biographical 5 out of 10.
©2002 Jackie K. Cooper
