I never heard of this movie until yesterday, when my mom pretty much dragged me to see it. Well, my dad is out of town, and I did get to eat at Johnny Rockets before the film, so that was a plus, but without all that said, it was well worth it. 

      The film is "Antwone Fisher" and it's Denzel Washington's directorial debut, which I had no idea, till it said "a film by Denzel Washington" at the end, I kinda like having it the end, instead of at the beginning. Who knows how different my experiences of it would have been had I known all along this was his movie. 

      Newcomer Derek Luke plays Antwone Fisher, and is remarkable. The last time a newcomer made this much of an impression in a film I saw, was Edward Norton in "Primal Fear". Anyway, Antwone Fisher is a man who never knew his father, and was born in a woman's correctional facility, then sent to an orphanage, and later adopted by an abusive family. 

      When Antwone turned 18, he left the hell that was his adopted family, and didn't know what to do with his life. So he did what anyone would have done in that situation. He became a sailor. His time in the navy did not start out well, he was picked on, and his temper (which he got from being around his abusive family) didn't help much. All this eventually led him to the Navy's shrink. Enter Denzel Washington. 

      This is all at the beginning of the movie, save the dream sequence. And I gotta mention that again. That dream sequence, the very first shots of the film, totally pulled me in. Now, I don't know about you, but I think it's unusual to be pulled into a film that early. I just love the slow but sudden camera techniques, paced to piano keys. Very dream like. But at the same time, you're not sure it is a dream, until Antwone wakes up. I just find that fascinating. 

      Do I need to tell you how fascinatingly good Denzel is? I didn't think so. This is one of his best performances ever, although it's not a big part. It's an incredibly moving part. He totally turns this kid's life around. He get's Antwone's confidence up so he can get a girl, then pushes him to go find his real family.

Oh did I tell you this is based on a true story?

     -- James ( 3 1/2 pops out of 4 pops ) 

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

      Matt ( 4 out of 4 pops )

     If I can amend my Best of 2002 list, I'd place this as Number 3!  "Antwone Fisher" is an intense, heartfelt, deeply inspired piece of cinema.  I was interested in it in the first place, not just because I love Denzel Washington, but because the actual screenplay was written by Antwone Fisher himself--who the movie is about.  I'm sure there were some events portrayed in the film that were tweaked for dramatic effect, but in the hands of a Hollywood screenwriter, they could've been tweaked a little too much.  I can tell Fisher poured out his heart and soul into the script.  Newcomer Derek Luke is an incredible actor, and I hope to see him succeed in more and more great films like this.  Denzel Washington again gives it his all, yet doesn't steal the spotlight, in a relatively minor role.  And what a great directorial debut!  The movie is packed with emotionally charged scenes, and I was both crying AND sobbing throughout the whole second half of the film.  Not because it was sad or depressing, but because it was inspiring and intense.  The speech Fisher delivers in front of his foster parents, when returning to the house as an adult, got me most choked up.  After watching what he had to endure in that household, you'll see why it's so powerful.  I'm fascinated by psychology, because I'm fascinated by what REALLY goes on in people's heads.  When people suffer from some sort of emotional sickness, it doesn't happen for no reason.  In the case of Fisher, his anger had roots in his very troubled childhood.  When people aren't given the respect they deserve, they often have difficulty respecting others, and he definitely wasn't given that respect.  Washington's extremely assertive way of getting answers from his Fisher was dead-on, since I know a couple of psychologists, and rarely are they portrayed accurately in movies.  To sum it up, "Antwone Fisher" is a must-see!  It's an unforgettable, extremely moving emotional powerhouse of a film.  Don't miss it! 

      Billy Ray ( 1 1/2 out of 4 pops )

      Once again, here comes an overly praised film that just didn't work for me.  I have heard critic after critic say how powerful this film is and how it changes lives, and so on and so on and so on.  It did virtually nothing for me, other than to show that Denzel Washington does have a penchant for directing.  I was not impressed by Derek Luke at all--especially since one of the opening trailers was for his new film "Biker Boyz".  Plus, I don't think he is that talented of an actor.  And, how many times are we going to see the same clichéd plots about young black men struggling with adversity to succeed in the end, thanks to their loving mentor.  I liked this film better when it was called "Finding Forrester".  At least Sean Connery added some life.  I wanna know one thing--how in the hell does this film change lives?  Is there really a movie out there THAT powerful.  "Bowling for Columbine" maybe.  "Schindler's List" possibly.  "Antwone Fisher"?  You have got to be kidding me.