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Summary: Everyone should see ANTWONE FISHER!
Review: ANTWONE FISHER is the story of a young emotionally troubled U.S. Navy seaman. His problems lead him to Jerome Davenport, a psychiatrist who helps him realize that his troubles stem from his childhood upbringing. Get ready to shed a tear or two. The movie could thaw the coldest heart. I loved the story, which turns from something so very awful to happen to anyone into a positive ending. ANTWONE FISHER is a powerful movie, most importantly about forgiveness. Other important issues that get you thinking are child abuse, adoption, and foster care. Oscar winner, Denzel Washington does an impressive job in his directorial debut. There were many scenes which I enjoyed watching. They included the beginning (dreams of a little boy - check out the gigantic-sized pancakes!) and the ending (dreams turned into reality), which beautifully tied the story together. Another wonderful scene occurred when the doctor encouraged Antwone to search for his family to find answers to his questions about his family that abandoned him. My favorite scene happened when the young man finally confronted his mother and her reaction towards him. Priceless. All the actors represented their parts well. In addition to directorial responsibilities, Mr. Washington continues to show why he won an Oscar award and is successful in all his acting roles. He had a strong presence in this movie. Actor, Derek Luke demonstrated why he was so right for the part of Antwone Fisher. He portrayed very real and heart-tugging work. Joy Bryant who played the part of Cheryl, Antwone's love interest, resembled a ray of sunshine on the screen. The chemistry flowed well between the romantic characters. Novella Nelson who played the part of Mrs. Tate, a despicable character, deserves special mention. Although we only see her for a few minutes, the actress who played Fisher's mother gave an outstanding performance. Everyone should see ANTWONE FISHER! Fafa Demasio
Rating: 
Summary: +1/2. Cliched, but still emotionally moving
Review: Despite its palpably made-for-Oprah qualities, this psychological melodrama has its moments. The story revolves around the struggles of African-American Navy sailor Antwone Fisher to control his explosive, self-destructive anger and to confront the personal history of physical and psychological abuse that created his dysfunctional predicament. Fisher, who wrote this screenplay based on his own life, was put up for adoption by a ne'er-do-well mother, then raised in a series of abusive foster care environments, turning as a young adult to the armed forces as a last resort to straighten out his life. As the film opens, he's about to get tossed out of the military due to his habitual brawling, and is sent to see a Navy psychiatrist -- played by director Denzel Washington -- for one last chance. Fisher's character, a self-portrait, is perhaps a bit too warm, fuzzy and puppydoggish, although Derek Luke, the actor who plays the adult Antwone, is absolutely magnetic and expressive, and almost singlehandedly makes this film work. The Navy shrink, on the other hand, is a flimsily realized stereotype -- one of those semi-saintly medical saviors (with personal problems of their own that are brought into focus by the life-affirming struggles of the patients they guide) that Robin Williams nearly killed his career playing again and again and again. The cliche works, but Fisher's script certainly brings nothing new to the role, and as a result Denzel's a bit of a dud in this film. Still, the issues the film addresses are powerful, the brief flashback scenes showing Fisher's childhood abuse are genuinely horrifying, and skillfully, sparingly presented. Although the drama of Fisher's rediscovery of his biological family is symbolically transposed (some might say forced) onto the wider issue of the African-American slave diaspora, the emotional issues are still profound, and the scenes of him opening up about a lifetime of pain, first to his therapist, and then to his lover, will probably ring true for many viewers.
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Summary: fisher king
Review: I saw this movie last night and cannot stop thinking about it. It is well worth viewing. The acting is flawless. Despite the fact that it occasionally portrays the human condition in its cruelest sense, it eventually registers 11 out of 10 on the feel-good meter.
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Summary: Anyone can change
Review: This was just a movie that kept my attention until the end. The true story of Antwone Fisher who suffers with rage and they send him to a shrink. But through the process, Fisher opens the eyes of Dr. Davenport and in the end, Fisher is not only a better person, but Dr. Davenport is a better man as well and a better husband. I appreciated the fact that Antwone faced his adopted family and confronted them head on. "You couldn't destroy me!" Powerful words from a broken, but not a defeated man. Awesome movie, awesome message. It just goes to show, that anyone can change, despite what they've been through!
Rating: 
Summary: Trying to Find My Place: Solid Drama about a Lonely Heart
Review: Denzel Washington's debut as a director turned out a powerful drama about a man named Antwone Fisher, who must confront his painful past. Even though the film sees some clithed moments, the fact that the story is based on truth, and that the film's script is written by Antwone Fisher himself gives credible touch to the whole story. The story begins with the grown-up Fisher, US navy soldier, who gets constantly involved in troubles over petty scuffles. He is told to meet a psychiatrist Davenport (Washington), who says Antwone has to receive at least three sessions with him before he is able to go back to the ship. Uninterested, Antwone refuses any communication with the therapist at first, but slowly realizes that there is no other way for him but to tell his own history. Then the film goes back to his painful memories in the past, which Antwone soon realizes he has to face sooner or later. The film goes on with solid direction given by Washington, and there is no flashy "Watch-This" techiniquces used here. That is a good decision for the film is blessed much talented actors, among whom Derek Luke as Antwone is the most impressive. He realizes Fisher's fragile side of character, and even more effective when he timidly tries to talk to his love Cheryl (played by equally good Joy Bryant), asking her to have a lunch. Oh, and don't miss the humourous scene where Denzel Washington's therapist teaches Antwone how to chat with a girl. The film is also given very authentic atmosphere of the navy or Antwone's foster parents' houses (for the first location, filmmakers would remind us of the kind permission to use the real ships by US Navy). But the horrid moments he had to go through in childhood are also very realistic, but owing to Washington's wise, tactful guiding, the film's violence is reduced to the minimum amount. But still the pain is there, so real and so scary. Some parts are not as good as the main plot, and I thought the role of the therapist's wife is underwritten inspite of the good acting from Salli Richardson. But if you see through the whole film, and watch its heart-warming (and in a way heart-rending) conclusion, you know the value of the story this well-told. Good job done, and good film too. And Antwone's Japanese spoken before his love is also good ... almost.
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Summary: A Fantastic Group of Talent!
Review: This is a non-fiction story of a man named Antwone Fisher. Fish wrote a book about his life and then wrote this movie based on his book and his life. That is mostly the beauty of everything in this movie. It's all true. It an autobiography film. Antwone Fisher wrote a fantastic solid script with no flaws, and hopefully, no lies. Once again the stars are another part of what makes this movie great. Newcomer Derek Luke plays the title character fantastly. Denzel Washington also make him directorial debut with this movie also brings it home. The movie starts off when Antwone Fisher is twenty four years old. He is a sailer at the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He also ends up being in fights around the ships so is sent to visit a psychiatrist. His name is Jerome Davenport(Denzel Washington) who has been given three sessions with Fisher to find out what is wrong with him. Antwone doesn't say or do anything. His three sessions beging when he starts talking. But soon Antwone begins his lifes story. His father was killed by his girfriend, and his mother had him in prison but never claimed him when she got out. He was sent to see Mrs.Tate with all the other boys. Mrs.Tate was very mean and used to beat the other boys including Antwone Fisher. Antwone became afraid. He was also sexually abused by an older teenager. He doesn't know what to do in front of women but he does date Cheryl. Eventually Davenport tells him to go and find his family and then Antwone's quest begins. The film has a great storyline as you can see, but the acting is really what brings this movie away. Without the acting there would be no movie. The Oscars await. ENJOY!
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Summary: How did Oscar ever pass over this movie?
Review: How Oscar ever passed over this movie is beyond me. As a matter of fact, I boycotted watching the Academy Awards that year simply because they overlooked Fisher. This movie contained many fine categories---actor (Derek Luke) director (Washington) screenplay(Fisher) and definitely Best Picture. Even the actress who played his real mother (sorry didn't get her name) helped deliver one of the most heartwrenching scenes seen in movies in a long time. Now that I have that out of my system, this movie is simply about getting negative things in life such as child abuse,neglect,and death out of your system and getting on with life and proving to even your toughest opponents that they can NOT break you. Fisher is forced to go see the Navy psychiatrist as a last resort to save his career. At first he refuses to talk but once he starts he can not stop and what he reveals even makes the Navy shrink blush. The final perscription is to face the demons of his past face to face and answer all the unanswered questions that keep him from moving forward. This movie would be great for teens and preteens who may may be struggling or know someone who is struggling with their past. Anchors Away! Fisher and yes my eyes got a little misty watching this fine Navy flick. Two salutes!!
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Summary: Wanted: family ties and pancakes
Review: Based on a true story, ANTWONE FISHER is about an enlisted sailor stationed aboard one of the Navy's assault helicopter carriers based in San Diego, and whose internalized anger surfaces through repeated brawls with his shipmates. Ordered into psychiatric evaluation, Fisher must either spill his guts or face almost certain discharge. The only good thing in Fisher's life is his growing attraction to a female sailor, who works in the post exchange. Newcomer Derek Luke is so excellent as Antwone that an Oscar nomination wouldn't surprise. Denzel Washington directs; he also acts in a rare supporting role as the Navy shrink, Dr. Jerome Davenport, who discovers early on that Fisher's rage is rooted in his family ties, or rather their absence. Antwone's father was killed two months before his birth, the latter event taking place inside a prison where his mother was incarcerated. Once released, she never claimed custody of her child, but left him to languish under cruel physical and sexual abuse in a foster home. Fisher literally dreams of a big, loving family that sits him down at the head of a bounteous table and serves him his favorite comfort food - pancakes. The pretty Joy Bryant is sweet and charming as Petty Officer Second Class Cheryl, who supports and loves Antwone through some difficult moments. (I don't remember enlisted WAVES like this during my Navy service! Maybe I should re-up for another 4-year hitch.) Despite the inordinate amount of hype surrounding this film, it seemed a fairly ordinary plot as I sat and watched it. We've seen this before: disturbed young man is snapped out of it by a caring head doctor and the attentions of a good woman. Stifled yawn - 4 stars. But then the last 20 or so minutes kicked in. It woke me up. For me, the most powerful scene was Antwone's poignant and powerful declaration to Eva (Viola Davis). You'll know it when you see it, and understand why. Take a hankie. And Davis deserves an Oscar nomination for her very short and almost silent part. And finally, there's the big question. Does Antwone get his pancakes?
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Summary: A Surprisingly Good Movie
Review: Antwone Fisher is a surprisingly good movie in light of its unlikely subject matter. Most movies centering around psychologically troubled persons that are not crime dramas are just simply not very good. Antwone Fisher rises above the rest and is a very good movie. The reason for this is that the movie is an autobigraphy of a real life person. Antwone Fisher served in the U.S. Navy and had a productive relationship with a Navy shrink played by Denzel Washington. This movie boasts an excellent script and cast to match.
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Summary: One Of Life's Lessons
Review: I hesitated in seeing this movie since I really prefer the lighter stuff eg. action/adventure/martial arts and so on. I try to avoid the heavy emotional films. However I'm glad I finally decided to see it. It tells the story of an ill tempered Navy seaman and his struggles to cope with the result of a childhood full of abandonment, rejection and abuse. Unwilling to admit to himself that he needs to get quite a few thing out of his system he repeatedly embarks on behavioural patterns that gets him into trouble with Navy authorities. Things start to unravel when he is ordered to have psychiatric sessions. I love this story since it shows that running away from problems is not going to solve them and that it's never too late to try and get help. Truly a touching story that teaches us some of life's many lessons
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