Movie
Review | Antwone Fisher
Reviewed by: Brian
Orndorf
After years of torturous abuse at the hands of his foster family,
Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke) has escaped the misery of his early life,
finding isolation and a small sense of peace in the U.S. Navy.
However, all is not well for the young man. Anger over his upbringing
and doubts about his own self-worth have left him withdrawn and
occasionally violent, which results in multiple fights with fellow
shipmates. To decide his future in the Navy, Fisher is sent to see
psychiatrist Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington). As Davenport probes
deeper into an initially reluctant Fisher’s past, the true horror
stories of his patient’s adolescence comes out, and over time a
powerful bond forms between the two men. The picture is based on
Fisher’s own autobiography, “Finding Fish,” and he also scripted
the film.
For all its restrained power, and less than subtle sentimentality,
one cannot help feeling that this ground was already covered in Gus
Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting.” “Fisher” follows the same
tale of broken youth repaired by benevolent therapist, but this film
goes a little more for the throat, whereas as “Hunting” was
carefully made, and a tinge more lyrical. This lends “Fisher” with
a more vivid quality, as it doesn’t shy away from amazing moments of
horror in detailing Fisher’s upbringing, nor does it fail when it
comes to soliciting tears from the material.
“Antwone Fisher’s” claim to fame is that it is Denzel
Washington’s debut as a director. Always a dedicated actor unwilling
to waver for audience sympathy, Washington unexpectedly goes for
simple sentimentality with “Fisher.” There is a power to his
images of Fisher’s healing process (including a tender, and very
accurate, depiction of first-time love), and maybe a true account of
the young man’s beatings and sexual abuse would be too much to bear
if presented without a wavering eye. However, Washington tries to
place too neat a spin on the whole ordeal, with Fisher’s
confrontation with his past (and family) far too pat for satisfaction.
The climax of “Antwone Fisher” is perpetually sweet, and has a
heart the size of Texas, but it sends the wrong message of a clean
break for Fisher, when I doubt it was that easy in real life.
While the script cannot always be counted on for honesty, Derek
Luke’s performance as Antwone is enough to feel the proper weight of
the world on Fisher’s shoulders. A relative newcomer, Luke embraces
the role with everything he’s got, nailing Fisher’s inner rage
along with his slowly uncovered willingness to love again
passionately. Placed up against the iconic proficiency of
Washington’s acting, Luke manages quite nicely in the role.
Surprisingly, or thankfully, Washington isn’t playing up his
usual force-of-nature confidence. In a smaller supporting role,
Washington is simply there to support Luke. The script attempts to
give the Davenport character a subplot, detailing his troubled
marriage, but it doesn’t work. This superfluous aside only manages
to keep the attention away from the stronger story found in Fisher’s
emotional expedition. After winning an Academy Award for his work in
“Training Day” this year, it’s wonderful to see Washington
tackle a story smaller than his normal routine.
The journey in “Antwone Fisher” is far more compelling than its
end result. Denzel Washington makes for an impressively subtle
director, and imperfect as “Fisher” most certainly is, this is a
winning debut, and an incredible story to behold.
Grade: 8/10
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