Volume 3, No. 10 January 24, 2003
Washington lands a big ‘Fish’ A Review By Kim Herrington Hollywood and the people who attend its films hunger for original and unique material. Much of what eats up space at the multiplex is overused and predictable. This is reflected in big-screen productions as directors and screenwriters spend enormous amounts of time getting the biggest stars to breathe life into scripts or use special effects to divert attention of the audiences away from weak story lines. For this reason, I think the appetite for documentaries and biographies is growing. The material is fresh and serves to educate or enlighten in some way. A certain level of humility is apparent in these productions that cannot be ignored. This is the case with "Antwone Fisher." Based on the true story of writer and producer Antwone "Fish" Fisher this autobiographical drama is centered on Fish’s youth, particularly his days as a U.S. naval officer. Fish is in danger of getting kicked out of the Navy because of his uncontrollable fighting. He is sent to a psychiatrist for evaluation and reveals a traumatic childhood filled with abuse. Under the psychiatrist’s guidance, Fish searches for his family and dramatically changes his life. Fish’s autobiography is a heartfelt one and will get your attention. The issues of child abuse and child welfare are handled delicately. Fish’s triumphant spirit is inspirational. Newcomer Derek Luke’s portrayal of Fish is a powerful one. Luke is charismatic and engages the audience; the same is true for Joy Bryant who plays Fish’s girlfriend Cheryl. I also applaud Denzel Washington’s directorial debut in this film. Washington’s talent behind the camera is just as good as his onscreen acting. Teamed with Fisher, Washington does an excellent job of balancing undertones. In wake of the recent Chicago child abuse case, the Antwone Fisher story gives insight into a growing problem in America. I’m surprised this film is not getting the acclaim that Washington’s previous work has. It is my hope that the industry recognizes Washington and Fisher for this production. "Antwone Fisher" is impressive and surely is worth a trip to the movies.
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