Movie Review: Antwone Fisher

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Antwone's story has several motifs that can be seen in the lives of many of our patients who are dealing with the likes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Without the tools to adequately work through his pain, Antwone turned to rage as his outlet during stressful situations. Rage may be replaced with other symptoms like substance abuse, inappropriate risk taking, or poor relationships in our patients' personal stories, but the solution we can offer is similar to the one Davenport provides.

As a mental health provider we offer a human connection, support, and hope. By building a relationship of trust, we can help nurture an environment where our patients feel safe enough to open up. Through counseling, often with the help of medication, our patients can learn to better cope with the ups and downs of life.

The real victory in the movie comes at the end when Antwone returns to his father's family and is welcomed with open arms and the large meal he'd been dreaming of since his youth. Antwone literally returns ‘home' which is the metaphorical goal for many of our patients. This movie is packed with emotion and will leave you with a smile, maybe even a tear. Its one critique is the possible false expectation built on the ‘happily ever after' ending. For many patients who suffer with mental illness the concept of being ‘cured' is an elusive target. The goal of progress, not perfection, is probably more welcoming and obtainable.

FACULTY PERSPECTIVE

Antwone Fisher , inspired by true-life experiences, takes you into the life of a young sailor with a violent temper serving in the U.S. Navy. The story begins with Antwone “Fish” Fisher (Derek Luke) on the verge of being released from the Navy after getting in a fight with a fellow sailor. The troubled sailor is restricted to the ship for 45 days and is ordered to receive psychiatric treatment.

After some initial hesitation in opening up and confronting his past, Antwone reveals to psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington) that he cannot speak to the identity of his family. Antwone's father died before he was born and his mother, who gave birth to Antwone while incarcerated, did not come for him after she was released. As such, he was placed in the foster home of Mr. and Mrs. Tate, where he faced many years of mental and physical abuse. Antwone left the home of Mrs. Tate at the age of fourteen. After living out on the streets for the next few years, he turned to the U.S. Navy to help turn his life around.

Luckily, it is the forced interactions with Dr. Davenport that saves Fisher's drowning life by exposing the root cause of his built up rage. With Dr. Davenport's compassionate help, Antwone is led on an emotional journey to connect with the family he never had and find closure to his pain.