A measured success

[Twentieth Century Fox photo] Derek Luke’s convincing performance as the title character in Antwone Fisher is key to the success of Denzel Washington’s directorial debut. Washington also acts in the film, as psychiatrist Jerome Davenport.

By STEVE PERSALL, Times Film Critic

© St. Petersburg Times
published December 24, 2002

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The story of Antwone Fisher gives its actors and director a sturdy platform for recounting a most extraordinary life.

Antwone Fisher, another true story with Navy ties, doesn't make that mistake. In fact, first-time director Denzel Washington may soften the material, culled from Fisher's autobiography, a little too much to ensure a wider audience with a PG-13 rating. The personal demons causing Fisher's anger management problems, jeopardizing his Navy service, are only shown as shockingly as they need to be identified, not seriously examined. It's a minor quibble for a major league holiday movie.

An impressive newcomer, Derek Luke, plays Fisher as a man-child haunted by a sordid past in a bad foster home. At first, he's all attitude, with a hair-trigger temper leading to a demotion and psychiatric evaluation. Luke simmers well and doesn't tip his hand too soon, saving those moments when Fisher lets down his angry defenses for just the right moments.

Some occur during his sessions with Navy psychiatrist Jerome Davenport, played by Washington with his usual fluid authority. Others are inspired by Fisher's shy attraction to a young officer, Cheryl Smolley (Joy Bryant). Each time Luke allows a smile or a curious glance to happen, we see a bit of Fisher's bully facade melt. In-between, the screenplay written by the real Fisher deftly weaves flashback details of the childhood under the whip of Mrs. Tate (Novella Nelson in a chilling role) that almost ruined the man.

Meanwhile, Davenport's strained relationship with his wife (Salli Richardson) shows the healer unable to take care of his own problems. That subplot intrudes upon Fisher's story once or twice too many before they intersect, establishing a deeper purpose.

At first glance, Antwone Fisher promises little more than a fresh Prince of Tides with shortcut psychoanalysis and a victimized male. The cumulative experience, however, is much more than that. Each performance is carefully modulated, each scene cautiously measured by Washington in a praiseworthy debut behind the cameras. We never doubt where the story is going -- after all, Fisher recovered to tell and sell his story -- yet Washington subtly informs viewers of Fisher's psyche, fairly conventionally except for a dreamy beginning setting up a final scene that had me sobbing.

Antwone Fisher is sturdy filmmaking inspired by an extraordinary life. Some may complain about Washington's lack of visual ingenuity or the film's steady march to a feel-good finale. Normally, so would I. But there is something sincere about Luke's face, Washington's patience and especially Fisher's resilience that won me over, as it will for any moviegoer with a heart.

Antwone Fisher

Director: Denzel Washington

Cast: Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant, Salli Richardson, Novella Nelson

Screenplay: Antwone Fisher, based on his autobiography Finding Fish

Rating: PG-13; mature themes including child abuse, profanity, violence

Running time: 113 min.

Grade: A-

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