Rating: 
Summary: Very touching story
Review: Every character was played well. The story was moving, so moving I watched it two times.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: It could have been better. The script could have been better, the acting, etc. The whole film could have been much better. Bio films don't have to be boring but this one is. Remember last year's film "A Beautiful Mind." It was great, it wasn't boring and I loved that movie, but "Antwone Fisher" is just disappointing. And why did they name the film after the guy, the title should have been much more interesting. I liked the original title "Finding Fish." I've waited a long time to see this movie, and I finally rented it. I was so disappointed. It was just so dull. I skipped the violent parts when I rented this movie. There are a couple of sad scenes like when the foster mom ties up her kids and beats Fisher and his foster brother, then there's the part where Fisher gets sexually abused. Come on now, they didn't have to put that in there. I couldn't watch that, it was just too disturbing. Anyway, I really liked it when he went back to his foster mom to find out info on his real parents and what he said to her and that other lady, "I'm still standing, I'm still strong." Wow, great line!! Anyway, overall it was an okay movie. I'm glad that I waited and rented the dvd.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: I believe today's society is too reliant on counselors, therapists, and an abundance of Dr. Phils who tell us how to act and feel. But ANTWONE FISHER mellowed my opinion of couches and shrinks--made me better understand how a caring professional can make a positive difference in another person's life. I was fascinated to learn this movie is based on a true story; I was even more impressed that newcomer Derek Luke, who plays the title role, is an actual friend of the real Antwone Fisher. Luke brings a plethora of range to his character: anger, resentment, confusion, forgivness, integrity, dignity. Portraying a young sailor trying to come to grips with his painful past--trying to control his violent outbursts--Luke flawlessly stays in character, whereas other newcomers have a tendency to overact. Antwone Fisher, as it turns out, is a remarkable human being; Derek Luke effectively brings this fact to the forefront. Denzel Washington, portraying Navy psychiatrist Jerome Davenport, is superb. Davenport doesn't belittle, belabor, or browbeat his young patient--he gains Antwone's confidence through soft-spoken empathy and compassion. As the relationship between the two men evolves, Davenport becomes a surrogate father to Antwone. Yet Davenport also has problems in his personal life; his friendship with Antwone gives him the additional insight and strength he needs to confront them. The chemistry between Washington and Luke is extraordinary; the scenes featuring just the two of them are spellbinding. ATWONE FISHER is also Washington's directorial debut; if Washington can furnish such exceptional storytelling right out of the gate, one can only hope he'll decide to go behind the camera again and again.
--D. Mikels
Rating: 
Summary: 8 out of 10
Review: Great film. Very Poignant. Also hard to watch at the same time. Interesting as we can see how Antwone will confront things with courage. Not many people are willing to do that. Anyway, Denzel Washington, as an actor, shines. As a director, this is an audacious try at directing expertise. I have no ill-will comments about his ability. Of course, he has the potential to reach the top mark. The movie was obviously flawed, had a lot of holes, and did not cover every ground. So far, this is one of the best movies I have seen the past few years, and I believe this should have been a winner for Academy Award Best Picture, since a lot of films have been a travesty. Washington also needs to have his directing abilities refined before he can undertake the next project, if he wants to be the best as possible.
Rating:
Summary: Keepin' it real!
Review: I loved this movie. I think that any movie that stimulates emotion is great. There are not many movies like that anymore. I found myself laughing, crying (really crying), and feeling filled up inside during this movie. It was worth every single cent I paid for it. This movie, the actors and directors should receive awards for this one. People from every walk of life can relate to Antwone Fisher's experience. So many people find themselves in the same position. I especially loved it when Antwone Fisher walked back into his aunt's home after seeing his natural mother and finding all his elder relatives there. That was simply GREAT! I also admired the respect given to his natural mother even though he was angry with her. Honor thy Mother and Father.... Also, the way he handled his foster mother and the women that molested him as a child was awsome! I also admired the effect that his relationship with the psychiatrist (Denzel Washington) even provided a source of healing for the good doctor. Even though Antwone was attaching himself to the doctor's family, the doctor (and his wife) were also attaching themselves to Antwone. Thereby allowing the doctor to recognize his own short-comings. I think that people are able to relate to others better and have a better sense of self when they know from whence they came! Hence, I was pleased to see that Antwone Fisher was able to forgive his mother and move on with his own life. I highly recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A good Movie
Review: THIS WAS A GREAT MOVIE, AND I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES AS THE MOVIE WENT ON ABOUT WHAT HE WENT THROUGH WHEN HE WAS A BOY. THIS IS A MOVIE THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO A FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I WOULD HAVE THIS MOVIE IN MY COLLECTION WHEN IT COMES OUT ON VIDEO. I LOVED IT. PEACE OUT
Rating:
Summary: great directorial debut by Denzel Washington
Review: This was the directorial debut of Denzel Washington. This movie is based on the real life of Antwone Fisher and the screenplay is actually written by Antwone Fisher himself! For a first time director, Washington did a fantastic job and made one of the best movies of 2002. The movie opens with a slow montage of a dream. Antwone Fisher is dreaming of himself as young boy. He dreams of a big feast with a large loving family welcoming him. It is a sweet dream, but it ends abruptly. We hear a cow bell, hear a gunshot, and see a red flash on the screen. Fisher (Derek Luke) awakes. He is in the United States Navy and is in his bunk on his ship. We are presented very quickly with one of the major problems in Fisher's life: Anger. It doesn't take much to set him off, and when he gets angry he fights. Since fighting is an offense in the military and Fisher pleads guilty, his punishment includes seeing a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist that he is assigned to is Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington). Though Fisher is initially reluctant, he begins to open up and tell his story at the insistence of Davenport. His past has been full of pain. His father was murdered two months before Antwone was born and his mother gave birth to him in prison. He was raised an orphanage and once in a foster home. The scenes in the foster home give rise to some of the most painful images of the film and thoroughly explain Fisher's anger. It also presents the opportunities for Antwone's healing. Despite how this may be sounding, the problem and solution are not presented as simply as might be implied. Each time that it seems like we are leading into the conclusion of the film, we get another glimpse of Fisher's past and more is revealed that subtly changes how we viewed the story arc. Not only is Antwone Fisher going through therapy, we are getting to see it. We see the issues of trust and the slow revelations that take time to come out. There are things that Fisher was reluctant to talk about. Some things took most of the movie to come out. I suspect this is part of Fisher's healing process, how long some things took for him to be able to reveal. This is a powerful movie, a bit painful at times, but an absolute joy to behold. From start to finish this is an excellent movie and it doesn't ever take a wrong step. This was very well done, and this is one of the best movies of 2002. Antwone Fisher is worth watching, and I would even suggest that somewhat who buys this without having seen it first will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful- A Must See.
Review: I was hesitant to watch this film for no particular reason, but I finally sat down and watched it and it is an amazing, powerful, emotional film that is one of the years best. It's the heartbreaking story of Antwone Fisher played by Derek Luke, an sailor with a violent temper. He meets with a psychiatrist played by Denzel Washington, to help understand why he acts this way. Throughout his sessions he opens up and reveals his disturbing past. Derek Luke is sensational. He gives an oscar worthy performance, and I was blown away by this talented newcomer. This film took me on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was laughing, then I was crying. It's absolutely heartbreaking, and it has a triumphant ending that made this film as a whole one of the best films I have seen this year.
Rating:
Summary: Facing the Past and Confronting Inner Demons.
Review: To be honest, I was a little hesitant to see "Antwone Fisher," the directorial debut by Denzel Washington. Movies directed by actors can be little more than self-serving vanity projects that merely say, "Hey! I'm an actor! And I can also direct! I'm so multitalented!" You can say the same thing about this movie, but you would be wrong. While it's a little sentimental at times, "Antwone Fisher" is one of the most heartfelt and genuine movies of 2002. Derek Luke is the title character, a young and hotheaded seaman who gets sent to Jerome Davenport (Washington) for psychiatric evaluation following a heated brawl with another soldier. From there, the two begin a painful journey that involves discovering the roots of Fisher's anger and, more important, the broken family that left him behind. It's often disturbing to see the psychological abuse Fisher suffered at the hands of his elders, and his strong will and tenacity make him all the more respectable. Luke gives a decidedly low-key yet strong performance and holds his own admirably against seasoned pro (and two-time Oscar winner) Washington. But if I have a slight bone to pick with this movie, it's that its plot has a bit of a "heard it before" feel. Several movies ("Good Will Hunting" comes to mind) have already featured a story about a troubled kid whose life gets turned around by an older mentor. Yet, "Antwone Fisher" earns its four stars thanks to its classy, non-flashy direction by Denzel and a solid performance by Luke.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional and moving directorial debut from Washington
Review: Actor directed flicks can go one of two ways --exceedingly bad (Brando's horrific and egocentric One Eyed Jacks)or exhibit rare grace and talent (Charles Laughton's perfectly realized Night of the Hunter). I'm happy to report that Denzel Washington's directorial debut falls into the latter camp. Antowne Fisher tells the true story of a troubled youth. The film centers on the relationship between Fisher's (also the screenwriter of the film)violent out of control temper and the Navy psychologist Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington) that tries to help him. Normally this type of film would be one of those "special" episodes or treacly television movies on one of the cable channels. Fisher jumps those obstacles due to the honest, forthright script and on the mark performances from newcomer Derek Luke and Washington. Washington's performance is refreshingly real and, given some of his recent performances (Training Day comes to mind), avoids cliches. Washington the director is as generous as Washington the actor. His direction is subtle but sure handed avoiding the potential hamfisted antics that have crippled other actor directed film projects. If a stage play is the actor's natural environment, movies can easily become a toxic environment for an actor if not handled well. Washington gives his actors plenty of space as performers allowing them to follow their own instincts. That confidence is mirrored in the pacing and structure of the film as well. Washington shows considerable promise should he choose to abandon his career as an actor. The DVD transfer is beautifully realized. While I can't comment on the widescreen edition, the full screen edition sent to me by amazon.com to review has a richly detailed picture. The sound is also sharp and well defined. The three featurettes provide a wealth of knowledge on the background of both the production of the film and the real Fisher. Washington's commentary track while not as enlightening as some director's, focuses on the areas that interest him most--the performances and the script. His effusive comments on other aspects of the film are interesting as well. Antowne Fisher is a rarity in today's environment; it's a richly detailed look at one individual's journey to self realization presented with sensitivity and honesty. It's a pity that these are the very qualities that the Hollywood factory tries to portray but usually gets wrong. Kudos to Washington, a fine cast and writer Fisher for creating the tremendously rich film.
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