Antwone Fisher
for violence, language and mature thematic material involving child abuse.
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Biography Romance Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 53 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2002 |
| USA Release: |
December 19, 2002 |
RACISM—What are the consequences of racial prejudice and false beliefs about the origin of races? Answer
african americans
FEAR, Anxiety and Worry—What does the Bible say? Answer
anger and temper
murder in the Bible
What should we thank God for, and how should we praise Him? Answer
THANKFULNESS—Tips for New and Growing Christians—GO
Are you thankful to God? GO
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY—Why do Americans celebrate it? Answer
What is the origin of America’s annual Thanksgiving Day? Answer
Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation of Thanksgiving
mother son reunion
child abandonment
child molestation
I think I was sexually abused, but I’m not sure. What is sexual abuse, and what can I do to stop the trauma I am facing now? Answer
Does God feel our pain? Answer
Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer
psychiatry
| Featuring |
Derek Luke … Antwone Quenton ’Fish’ Fisher Malcolm David Kelley … Antwone Fisher Age 7 Cory Hodges … Antwone Fisher Age 14 Denzel Washington … Dr. Jerome Davenport Joy Bryant … Cheryl Smolley Salli Richardson … Berta Davenport See all » |
| Director |
Denzel Washington |
| Producer |
Fox Searchlight Pictures Mundy Lane Entertainment Todd Black … producer Antwone Fisher … co-producer Randa Haines … producer Nancy Paloian-Breznikar … executive producer Chris Smith … co-producer Denzel Washington … producer Gina White … associate producer |
| Distributor |
 Fox Searchlight Pictures, a sister company of 20th Century Fox, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
“Fight fear. Face truth. Embrace life.”
Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “ANTWONE FISHER is the story of a man who digs inside himself to discover therein lies a king…
A sailor with an explosive attitude, Fisher (Derek Luke) is ordered to see a naval psychiatrist (Denzel Washington) about his volatile temper. Little did he know that his first step into the doctor’s office would lead him on a journey home.
With the support of the doctor, who becomes more like a father than anyone Fisher has ever known, and the woman (Joy Bryant) from whom he learns how to love, Fisher finds the courage to stop fighting and start healing. Only then can he call on the family he never knew and come to terms with the one he knew all too well.
A story of firsts, ANTWONE FISHER marks the directorial debut for two-time Academy Award®-winning actor Denzel Washington and first screenwriting credit for Antwone Fisher. The film stars newcomer Derek Luke in his first feature film role. Equally new to the big screen is model-turned-actress Joy Bryant playing Fisher’s girlfriend, Cheryl. In addition to his directing duties, Washington agreed to play the pivotal role of the psychiatrist, Jerome Davenport.
Rounding out the cast is Salli Richardson portraying Davenport’s wife, and James Brolin in a cameo appearance as Fisher’s commanding officer.
Antwone Fisher’s story first caught the attention of Producer Todd Black (A KNIGHT’S TALE) while Fisher was working as a security guard at Sony Pictures Studios more than 10 years ago.
Despite Fisher’s lack of professional writing experience at the time, Black was so moved by the story that he hired him to write the screenplay. Washington committed to directing the project in 1997, but his busy acting schedule prevented him from taking the helm until 2001. In the interim, Fisher delved even deeper into his life by writing his memoir, Finding Fish, which hit bookstores in 2001 and is a “New York Times” bestseller.
Fisher’s journey is nothing short of inspirational Washington says. “It’s a triumph of spirit. I’m inspired by Antwone. When you look at all that he’s gone through and survived and can still be a gentle soul… hopefully it will touch all who see it… hopefully we’ll reach out to those who are dealing with difficult times and thinking that they can’t make it.
They’ll see this young man’s life and say, ‘Hey, you know, I can make it.’”
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
In the final scene Denzel’s character congratulates Antwone for beating those who tried to bring him down—hardly the Christian image of healing and forgiveness. The implication that virginity is unnatural for a healthy adult was also disappointing. Finally, while the movie was not excessively graphic, the blood splattered across Antwone’s face in the murder scene was unnecessary and the child-rape scene (heard but not shown on camera) was quite disturbing—with those two scenes, the movie deserved an R-rating and should not be viewed by young children.
[Better than Average / 4½]
While the film’s plot was simple, I believe that Mr. Washington’s direction helped create warm and believable characters. Antwone’s foster mother portrayal was horrifying and demonic; however the story was compelling enough to make this viewer have genuine compassion for both the victim and the beast of a mother.
The most encouraging part of this movie was its omission of violent and sexual scenes. The story itself contains extreme violence and inappropriate sexual situations, but they are only suggested cinematically and do not leave the viewer with horrible images they’ll have to forget.
This is not a “Christian” movie, but has overwhelmingly hopeful overtones and teaches a strong pro-family message. Family, as in the Body of Christ is made of the people that dare to extend love to one another in spite of their circumstances and shortcomings. And finally, we applaud a sweet romance between two young people that was NOT centered around sexual attraction and superficial sentiment. Antwone’s search inspires us all to challenge the anger and bitterness within our spirits versus allowing sociological circumstances to excuse our sin.
This movie contains gentle strokes of realism and is flavored with profound moments of grace that help us understand the balance of suffering and triumph through our Christian journeys.
[Good / 4]
[Very Offensive / 3½]
[Better than Average / 4½]
Importance of family, control of anger, and perseverance are also encouraged. There is little profanity, and although rape and premarital sex are evident they are not shown like most Hollywood films and do not seriously hinder the message and effect of the film.
[Better than Average / 4½]
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 3]