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Antwone Fisher

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

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 naval psychiatrist Doctor Jerome Davenport (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 Davenport, who becomes more like a father than anyone Fisher has ever known, and Cheryl (Joy Bryant), the woman 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.

Persons of interest

Denzel Washington .... Doctor Jerome Davenport, Director
Derek Luke .... Antwone Fisher
Cory Hodges .... Young Antwone
Joy Bryant .... Cheryl
De'Angelo Wilson .... Jesse
Rainoldo Gooding .... Rashaan Grayson
Yolonda Ross .... Elaine Pack
Stephen Snedden .... Berkley
Antwone Fisher .... Screenwriter

Cinematic intelligence sources

Antwone Fisher official movie site
Antwone Fisher QuickTime movie trailers
Studios and distributors:

20th Century Fox

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Well, the story of Antwone Fisher is pretty much what you see in the Propaganda: a sailor with anger issues sees a psychiatrist and becomes a better and happier person for it. It's not a great story, it's not an original story, it's not even a particularly insightful story but if you're in the mood for watching two men on a journey of inner exploration then it is a good story.

Derek Luke is convincing as the young man with abandonment issues (you don't get much more abandoned than a father who died before you were born and a mother who gave birth to you while in prison) but his journey of discovery did seem facile: yes, there were delays but no diversions or dead ends. Antwone's therapy proved entirely useful: no false starts, no hidden agendas, no secrets, no avoidance. Having fostered a few kids with similar issues I can tell you that opening up is a difficult task.

Denzel Washington's direction and performance are adequate. There is nothing special about Antwone Fisher that lets you know that a new force has entered the game but it isn't crap, either. There are a couple of heavy-handed moments (the brig scene stands out as excessively theatrical) but there's nothing offensive.

Antwone Fisher is a tidy little film that you can appreciate even if you don't get so excited as to enjoy it.