in his first ever feature film. Slowly unravelling his character's inner state, Luke shows his character's struggle beautifully. There's much character development. As you watch the film you come to learn more about Fisher and get to know him better. Because of Luke's portrayal, as a viewer you really want to come to understand him. You want to know what goes on inside that head of his and causes all his hurt. When he finally speaks, you really come to know of the harm that has been done to him over the years. You then understand why he has built this wall around him that was so difficult to break through. Completely holding his own next to Washington, Luke gives a great performance. Washington really gives him space to evolve and show what he's capable of. Because this freedom he gets to get the best out of his character and dig deep. Being an actor himself, Washington knows how to get a good performance out of an actor. By giving a strong performance himself, in his acting, his responses, he gives Luke things he can really work with. Washington could have easily made a film in which he would have played the lead himself, but instead he puts himself in a supporting role and let's an actor, who at the time the movie came out was completely unknown, shine. He made the decision to give new talent a chance. Everyone already knows Washington can act, he no longer has to proof himself. And with the role of Antwon Fisher Luke gets the perfect chance to show all his potential and he puts it into full use. Told by a couple of flashbacks, like the one the film starts off with and which will later on come to really show its meaning, the film has a very nice pace. It never becomes boring, due partly because of the powerful scenes and interesting characters. Joy Bryant who's not only blessed with a beautiful appearance, but also a lot of talent, plays Fisher's love interest, Cheryl Smolley. Giving a subtle performance, her acting stays very real and natural. The words coming from her lips are spoken as if they are completely her own and the love story between her and Fisher never feels forced, but really is believable, convincing. Antwon Fisher is a very positive, uplifting film with its heart at the right place. It's a story of hope and faith in better things to come, which never gets too sweet, but stays very interesting and engaging.What is it about?
Antwone Fisher, a young man in the navy, has a dark past he has never told anyone about and which has made him to be very to himself. When one day he gets into a fight with a guy who's also in the navy he has to meet with a psychiatrist. At first Fisher is reluctant and refuses to speak. To him coming to a psychiatrist seems like a total waste of his time. Little does he know, though, that his psychiatrits, Dr. Jerome Davenport, has already much experience with young navy guys like Fisher and knows exactly what to do, or better say what not to do, to get them to speak. After many hours of silence, Fisher breaks the mold and lets his first secret, of not having
parents, out. From then on he comes by every week and little by little he unravels his past. Fisher and Davenport soon form a strong bond of trust. However, to really have piece with the harm that has been done to him in the past, Fisher has not only to fight these demons, but pay them a visit, just so he can move on with his life. But the question is, is he strong enough and willing to confront them once again? Fortunately Fisher who has always felt alone no longer is, since he has come to find not only a friend in Dr. Davenport, but also a love in Cheryl, a sweet, honest young woman who, like Fisher, also works for the navy. Final Verdict: ****
Though the story isn't very original it is told very well. The story is actually all about Fisher, hence the title. As a viewer you watch him process all the suffering that has been done to him over the years. And then when he finally has let it all out and has found trust in Dr. Davenport, it's time to close it off and move on, which only can be done by meeting his caretaker Ms. Tate, who might know something about his parents. There's not much more to it. Still the movie is very interesting and engaging, which is mostly the cause of the strong and powerful acting. Because of the strong acting you come to care for Fisher enough to be rooting for him
and hoping he'll find some information about his parents. In one scene in particular you really come to see why Dr. Davenport comes to love Fisher so much. A poem Antwone has written, which really shows Fisher's softer side, sums up all he is and all he has been gone through. Judging by the way he walks and his appearance you might have thought Fisher is that typical tough guy who eventually ends up in trouble. But like he himself at one moment tells he is a good man who never got in trouble with the law and even speaks two languages and has started learning his third. Fisher is an inspiration and even though it's still a film, which means that though it's based on Fisher's autobiography, it's still played by actors, you really feel you're watching someone special. And even if you had never heard about Antwone Fisher, after watching the film, I;m sure you'll agree that this guy truly is worthy of his own movie. With Antwone Fisher Denzel Washington has done a great job directing and I'm already looking forward to The Great Debaters which will be his second film as a director.
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