Antwone Fisher: the Movie
The movie, Antwone Fisher is a wonderful and thought provoking film full of symbolism, pain, and hope. It is also a very “familiar story” considering other coming-of-age films, but it is presented with “great sympathy and intelligence” that the viewer will not soon forget. (Berardinelli) Antwone Fisher takes the audience through a journey of various subsystems of communities: prison, orphanage, foster care, homeless shelter, and the Navy. However a community encompasses more than a system. Community is ever changing, evolving, and interacting with the needs of the people developing into their own. Communities are influenced by environment, political climate, and economy. We watch Antwone Fisher dream of his perfect family, and the need he has to make a connection with his past. However, the journey he goes through with the help of his Psychiatrist, Dr. Davenport, and his girlfriend Cheryl, is trying, sometimes turbulent, and full of pit-falls. Antwone reaches his own epiphany when he learns who he is, meets his family, and is able to trust others while overcoming his fear of rejection and abandonment. Watching the events unfold through Antwone’s eyes, you find yourself asking what specific influences kept him from turning to violence and crime on the streets. Those answers can be found by carefully examining the progression of events, Antwone’s choices, positive influences, as well as looking at the meaning and symbolism behind the scenes.
The first scene of Antwone Fisher sets the tone for the character development throughout the movie. Antwone stands in the middle of a vast field of hay and looks upon a white barn. The doors open and standing before him is a welcoming male figure extending his hand towards Antwone. No words are exchanged, but Antwone knows that no harm will come to him today. He walks through and another hand extends towards him: that of a woman. She has a warm smile and shows him to a huge feast, not only of food, but of family, history, and
The first scene of Antwone Fisher sets the tone for the character development throughout the movie. Antwone stands in the middle of a vast field of hay and looks upon a white barn. The doors open and standing before him is a welcoming male figure extending his hand towards Antwone. No words are exchanged, but Antwone knows that no harm will come to him today. He walks through and another hand extends towards him: that of a woman. She has a warm smile and shows him to a huge feast, not only of food, but of family, history, and
Cited: Antwone Fisher. Dir. Denzel Washington. Perf. Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, and Joy Bryant. 20th Century Fox, 2003. DVD. Dujsik, Mark. "Antwone Fisher." Rev. of Film. 2002: n. pag. Mark Reviews Movies. Web. 16 June 2009. <http://mark-reviews-movies.tripod.com/reviews/A/antwonefisher.htm>. Miles, Carol. "Antwone Fisher." Rev. of Film. Journal of Religion and Film Apr. 2003: n. pag. Department of Philosophy and Religion: University of Nebraska at Omaha. Web. 4 May 2011. <http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/Vol7No1/antwonerev.htm>. Rudolph, Chuck. "Antwone Fisher." Rev. of Film. Slant Magazine 14 Dec. 2002: n. pag. Slant Magazine. 14 Dec. 2002. Web. 15 June 2011. <http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/antwone-fisher/505>. Berardinelli, James. "Antwone Fisher." Rev. of Film. n.d.: n. pag. A Film Review by James Berardinelli. ReelViews, 2002. Web. 2011. <http://www.reelviews.net/movies/a/antwone_fisher.htm>. Stone, John. ""Antwone Fisher" Pulls Up Lame." Rev. of Film. n.d.: n. pag. Epinions. Web. 28 Dec. 2002. <http://www.epinions.com/review/Antwone_Fisher_44832209/content_84975652484>.