Dir. Denzel Washington, 2002, US, 120 mins
Cast:
Derek Luke, Malcolm David Kelley, Corey Hodges, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant, Salli Richardson
With a screenplay by the real-life Antwone Fisher, the film's titular character (Derek Luke) is a US sailor whose explosive temper and slap-happy attitude to his ship mates gets him sent to Denzel Washington's naval psychiatrist before he's booted out. And so begins one man's story of how the human spirit can triumph over any amount of abuse and cruelty meted out. But before you start thinking you've seen it all before, this film is different. Despite playing all the clichés in the 'boy from the wrong side of the tracks done good' genre, it has sufficient power to hold your interest and get you thinking.
Derek Luke plays the young black sailor, and it is his dignified, understated performance that elevates the film and makes you care. As Antwone's sorry story unfolds during his psychiatry sessions, we learn about his birth in a women's prison, abandonment by his natural parents, and his adoption by church-going child beaters. Antwone's early life makes for uncomfortable viewing but the direction is sensitive enough not to linger on the images of physical - and sexual - abuse, staying with them just enough to realise that Antwone has every right to be angry. This subtlety makes the reality even more painful. The film follows the touching father/son relationship between Antwone and his psychiatrist, who has troubles with his own marriage, and Antwone's burgeoning relationship with his girlfriend, as he struggles to find a sense of identity and face the past he has tried to forget.
This is a simple story, simply told. It is a little flat in places but is compensated by both a rich visual depth and restrained direction. It doesn't rely on high-octane explosions or car chases, just human drama and characters you really care about for once.
One noticeable aspect of the film is that it presents its predominantly black characters in very strong, positive roles - all a bit too rare in cinema. Washington turns in a fine, understated performance, despite looking on the verge of tears all the way through, but Luke is wonderful as the man who, despite having every reason to go off the rails, turns into a man any mother would be proud of, even if his own didn't stop to find out. It's a slow paced, affecting, moving film that - despite a few clichés and an unashamedly feelgood ending - has something real to say about survival, hope and strength.
Lisa Howells |
