Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher is a real-life first-time screenwriter who sold his autobiographical script while working as a security guard on the Sony Pictures lot. But that was the end of a long journey that began with his birth in prison, followed by a childhood in orphanages, abusive foster homes, reform school, and ultimately on the street after his foster mother gave him $67 and dumped the teenager off at a men's shelter. When the film catches up with Fisher (played by magnetic newcomer Derek Luke), he's a Navy enlistee with a hair-trigger temper who is ordered into counseling, providing a framing device for relating Fisher's life story through sessions with Navy psychiatrist Denzel Washington. Making his directorial debut, Washington helps create an electrifying chemistry between himself and his young star as the shrink encourages Fisher to seek out his real family. While most "inspiring true story" movies have their truth panel-beaten into a prefabricated formula and served up like a Sunday school lesson, this one is something special--a feel-good movie that succeeds without the sap. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Denzel Washington and producer Todd Black, a making-of featurette, the featurettes “Meeting Antwone Fisher” and “Hollywood and the Navy,” and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an auspicious directing debut by Washington.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Feb. 3, 2009—Fox, 120 min., PG-13, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's Antwone Fisher features a good transfer with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by director-star Denzel Washington and producer Todd Black, a 22-minute “making-of” featurette, the production featurettes “Meeting Antwone Fisher” (14 min.), and “Hollywood and the Navy” (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: an excellent film that would make a fine addition to budding Blu-ray collections.]