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Antwone Fisher
2002
Denzel Washington's directorial debut is based on a true story about Antwone "Fish" Fisher who went on to become an acclaimed writer and producer. As a young sailor prone to violent outbursts, he is almost thrown out of the Navy for repeated fighting. Sent to a naval psychiatrist for help, the young man eventually reveals an .. Read more
| Starring | Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant |
|---|---|
| Director | Denzel Washington |
| Genres | Drama |
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Antwone Fisher
Denzel Washington's directorial debut is based on a true story about Antwone "Fish" Fisher who went on to become an acclaimed writer and producer. As a young sailor prone to violent outbursts, he is almost thrown out of the Navy for repeated fighting. Sent to a naval psychiatrist for help, the young man eventually reveals an abused childhood. With help, he turns his life around and decides to embark on a search to find the family that abandoned him as a child. In the course of his search, his life changes dramatically...
| Starring | Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant |
|---|---|
| Director | Denzel Washington |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 29 Sep 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Actor Denzel Washington made his directorial debut with this powerful fact-based drama, in which he also stars. Based on the life of Antwone Fisher (who adapted the emotionally resonant screenplay from his autobiography), it's a candid and often harrowing tale of child abuse and its lifelong effects. Derek Luke puts in a magnificently compelling performance as the adult Fisher, a young black sailor whose deep-rooted problems manifest themselves in violent outbursts. Mentally scarred by an abusive childhood, it's only when he's forced to seek help from naval psychiatrist Jerome Davenport (played by Washington) that he learns to face up to his horrific past. Crisply directed and beautifully shot, Washington's tear-jerking drama is a culturally balanced film that looks beyond sloppy stereotypes of black society. Instead, it demonstrates the universal values of love, family and friendship, infusing the tale with life-affirming warmth and compassion, despite the odd mawkish moment.
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Washington's first film as director, Antwone Fisher is a based on the turbulent life of - one Antwone Fisher. The story... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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96 out of 99 people found this review helpful
Antwone Fisher
This is a story of a young man regaining his power after a bitterly
oppressive childhood. But the film also manages,along the way, to be a
powerful advert for therapy, as well as the more benevolent aspects of
the US navy. Denzel Washington stars in and directs the movie, which is
why it garned world-wide interest in the first place. But the real gems
of the film belong to the rest of the class, especially Derek Luke who
plays the Antwone Fisher himself, and Joy Bryant who plays his
girlfriend.
Antwone Fisher is an angry, confrontational sailor who manages to
regain his power and self respect with the help of a Navy psychiatrist
(Washington). The film explores, with the use of clever editing, the
brutal childhood in an abusive orphanage that led to Fisher's anger. It
concludes that nothing is quite as simple as all that, especially when
Fisher is reunited with his mother. The film is at its best when the
dialogue falls silent.
Not quite a timeless classic, not exactly a standard tear jerker, this
film nevertheless deserves to be remembered, if only for its wonderful
opening sequence. -
Most recent members' review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
It's all about family so grab your hankies!
This harrowing true-life adaptation of the childhood abuse and triumph of the one man against the odds will bring tears to your eyes. More touching is it was written by the man himself - Antwone Fisher. Writing as he meant it to be told - I cried and cheered I'm sure in all the places he intended. Extremely well acted and no less a directorial debut from Denzel Washington and relative newcomer, Derek Luke, a natural presence and smile that lights up the screen and reaches out to touch YOU! Supporting cast and the sub-plot of the psychiatrist intertwined, make this movie now one of my top 10 all-time favourites and a 'must-own' for the collection. This film proves that you can overcome almost anything given the opportunity, your own strength of mind, heart and spirit, the encouragement and belief of someone other than yourself. Above all, family; if you had known none at birth, then it's the strangers you discover along the path of your life that makes all the difference. Watch "Meeting Antwone Fisher" in the special features and you will see what I mean. Mr Fisher shows qualities I feel that make him and this movie all the more special. A truly touching and memorable film that will stay with me for a long time afterwards. But make sure you have your tissues at the ready - you'll need it. Score: 100/5 - Rent it today and I mean TODAY!
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News and features
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- 20 Mar 2007
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