I watched this movie a few days ago and went back and forth trying to decide if it was worthy of my review (and your reading). I finally decided yes... I decided that if the movie was thought provoking enough for me to keep considering, it was worth some discussion.
Antwone Fisher was the Directorial debut (2002) for Denzel Washington, based upon the true story of Antwone Fisher (played by Derek Luke), a dysfunctional young man in the navy, who processed his anger in fights with his navy mates. He is ordered to meet with Naval Psychiatrist, Jerome Davenport (Washington) to be evaluated. Davenport?s evaluation, will decide Fisher?s future with the Navy.
As the story unfolds, very slowly, we find that Fisher was the subject of his Foster family?s physical, verbal and sexual abuse. He had no power and when he was finally of age, entered the Navy. Until then, no one cared about his welfare and those who did, let him down. Through Davenport?s encouragement, Fisher comes to terms with his Foster family and even ends his journey, finding his birth mother, who had given him up after giving birth to him in prison.
Several parts of the movie were quite moving to me and left much food for thought???
1. A conversation between Fisher and Davenport: ?There were so many rainy days?for one kid it rained too much?. This scenario painted such a dismal picture. For the first time, I could see that these two people connected and how such a finite experience could be put so well.
2. In order for Fisher to move past his anger, he has to acknowledge and process forgiveness. Both for his foster family as well as his birth mother-the heart of his personal issues: The definition of Forgiveness: ? Regard without ill will despite an offense. To Forgive is to Free oneself to go on?. Here the lesson is learned, both by student and teacher.
3. When Fisher finally confronts his birth mother, he truly wants nothing from her but to let her know that ?I am a Good Man. No drugs, no kids, served his country, speaks two and a half languages, has read a hundred books, written poems, painted pictures?. How many people could end their journey here with total forgiveness? How many children in this world could have come through so well given the circumstances surrounding them?
This final realization brings Fisher back to Davenport for a payment of gratitude and Davenport responds that ?because of Fisher, he is a better man and husband?.
This movie was overall very slow and a good story line and basically good acting. The big disappointment was that Washington was extremely flat! Not the role for him. I could see him better as Antwone Fisher. There was no real drama and outstanding acting and that is why the movie was not a great success. Washington is a great dramatic and action actor, but he was greatly disappointing to the regular fans. However, there were great scenes as I reflected back-and worth a review.