Antwone Fisher (2002)

Antwone Fisher, a young navy man, is forced to see a psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow crewman. During the course of treatment a painful past is revealed and a new hope begins.

Director:

Denzel Washington

Writer:

Antwone Fisher

Stars:

Derek Luke, Malcolm David Kelley, Denzel Washington

18 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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-Whitfield	...	Berta Davenport (as Salli Richardson)
Leonard Earl Howze	...	Pork Chop
Kente Scott	...	Kansas City (as Kenté Scott)
Kevin Connolly	...	Slim
Rainoldo Gooding	...	Grayson
Novella Nelson	...	Mrs. Tate
Stephen Snedden	...	Berkley
Leo Nepomuceno	...	SP #1
Sung Kang	...	Receptionist
Cordell Stokes	...	Keith Age 5

Storyline

A sailor prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor, he confronts his painful past and begins a quest to find the family he never knew.

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | sailor | navy | black american | anger | 

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Taglines:

Antwone Fisher is at war... with himself.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, language and mature thematic material involving child abuse

Details

Official Sites:

Fox [fr] Fox [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

10 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Finding Fish

Filming Locations:

Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£59,976 (UK) (16 May 2003)

Gross:

£59,976 (UK) (16 May 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Mundy Lane Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

De'aundre Bonds was initially given a role in the film. On the night that he learned he was awarded the role, he attended a family celebration and was involved in an altercation with his aunt's boyfriend. The altercation ended with Bonds stabbing the man to death. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

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Goofs

The character of "Antwone Fisher" is shown reporting to his psychiatrist while on restriction. Any military personnel on restriction (or, confinement) is not allowed to wander freely from their assigned duty station while on restriction unless escorted by another person of a higher-ranking paygrade, including medical appointments.

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Quotes

[Antwone's all-purpose conversation starter]
Antwone Fisher: I could eat.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to Commander, Navy Region Southwest; Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Navy ships USS Tarawa (LHA-1), USS Belleauwood (LHA-3), USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Constellation (CV-64) USS Peleliu (LHA-5).

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Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Jumpi"
(1998)
Written by Sergent García (as Bruno Garcia), Pierre-Luc Jamain (as Pierre Luc Jamain),
Aleman Livan Nunez (as Livan Nunez), Vincent Jogerst and Simon Andrieux
Performed by Sergent García (as Sergent Garcia)
Courtesy of Labels/Virgin France S.A. under exclusive license to Higher Octave World, a division of Higher Octave Music Inc.
Under license from EMI Film & TV Music

User Reviews

A miraculous journey to recovery that will warm one's soul...

It's Denzel Washington/s debut as a director, and his film does very well in exploring the moral dilemmas and redemption of his principal character, Antwone Fisher. Skirting the line between facts and fiction, he addresses the issues of pains, rage and aspirations of the young man. The film flows with a vividly soulful and engaging cinematic pace that is truly praiseworthy. There are many instances of sentimental exposes that viewers will find difficult to forget. The tale floats like an ordinary fare, but Denzel, the actor, keeps the story in motion as a priceless support to his refreshingly new protege actor, Derek Luke. Very cool performance! With every step he takes in the scenes, his presence commands the screen! Also, the heartfelt performance of the 28 year-old actor, Derek Duke, who plays the adult Antwone ‘Fish' Fisher, is equally awesome. This film does capture a journey that will keep the audience holding on to the belief that every human outcast can be saved, given the right guidance. A truly inspirational film that should be seen by all.

The story is really formidable and the overall cast is formidably impressive. The theme of redemption is solidly and beautifully expressed through the interaction of the characters. The flashback reminders of the tyrannically abusive past of young Antwoine work well to help explain the rage, lack of confidence and misbehavior of Antwone Fisher. The on screen chemistry between Washington's Dr. Davenport and Luke's Antwone, and between Antwone and Joy Bryant's Cheryl is captivating. Novella Nelson's Mrs. Tate is certainly a terror to meet. I was also impressed by young Cory Hodges' terrific performance. Overall, the cast presents their characters in a very believable manner. I find myself associating some of the characters with those from the writings of one of my favorite authors, James Baldwin. Unfortunately, with the exception of the Antwone, the D. Davenport and the Cheryl characters, many of the talented actors seem to ooze in and out of sight without solid positioning. I could sit and watch the melodrama of the last Thanksgiving scene over and over again.

The flow of events set forth the pace of behavioral and mental development of Antwone. They may seemingly appear as events flatly thrown in as mere excuses to show Antoine's faults, but succeeds in giving reasons and offering solutions to the problems faced by the Antwone character. I love the way they are presented, almost in a hurried pace as if to raise spontaneous questions in the audience's minds as they analyze the young sailor's attitude! The film does portray a sense of emotional parallel between Antwone and Davenport, both waiting for the correct moments to burst out with their hidden deep-rooted emotions. That `poem-reading' session is a definite highlight of the film. Derek Luke has a unique charismatic charm that will surely warm the hearts of many.

This is great family film that expounds on the battle of a man `under a rock' in his attempt to fight his internal demons. Yep, there are a lot of visual moments of traumatic pains and sufferings as there are many instances of emotional victories. And Mychaela Danna's music scores contribute wonderfully to the intensity of the moods of characters. Truly an inspirational film to watch! Thoroughly enjoyable!