Starring: Denzel Washington and Derek Luke.
Directed By: Denzel Washington.
Running Time: 120 Min., Color.
Copyright 2003 Twentieth Century Fox.
Rated: PG-13
After focusing on Babette’s Feast, a film like Antwone Fisher may not seem to be an obvious choice for discussion. Is it yet another feast for the soul?
I think it is, actually—at least in its own way.
I have to admit, I wasn’t planning to discuss this movie at exactly this point. But I happened to see it over the weekend and caught the very beginning, which I’d missed the first time around. The opening scene depicts a table obviously set for an amazing feast, a feast that is a recurring theme later in the film. The connection, though a loose one, seemed worth mentioning here.
There is definitely more to this film than just a vague similarity to another movie. Based on a true story, it carries a powerful message of healing and triumph of the heart. But that element of a feast and its significance for the main character is something I find extremely interesting and meaningful. It's something I'd like to talk more about.
If you haven't seen this film, I hope you'll give it a try. And I hope you'll come back and share your thoughts. It's definitely a story worth discussing!
15 comments:
Ah, another film I'm adding to my list of "must see on a rainy, chocolate craving day!"
Cheers!
- Jo
Isn't EVERY day a chocolate craving day? :)
I hope you do find a chance to watch this film and let me know what you think!
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh Kimberlee!
I cried! Then I cried some more! I didn’t see the cover before the movie began, so at the ending credits when I saw it was based on a real person, I cried some More!! My eyes will probably still be puffy in the morning! Antwone's dream at the beginning of the movie made me think of the generations that had gone on before, and I didn't relate it to Family at that time. Later, the Thanksgiving feast seemed to start well, but turned into bickering. Then when Antwone walked through the doors of his new family’s home, I saw his dream coming to life, but better. The welcome and acceptance the family displayed was so healing. It was a feast of love as well as food. The scene with his mother was sad. I think he ended up pitying her. I'd like to think that she came to be included in that extended family at some point. I loved the ending with Denzel. I'd wondered how his story would end up. The obvious tension in his marriage seemed to be left unaddressed, so it was touching to see how Antwone impacted the doctor's life and marriage. Thank you for telling us about this movie!!!!!
Wow, Laurie! I'm so glad that you were able to view the movie and ESPECIALLY that you found time to share your thoughts! Yay!
I've ordered a few books related to this movie. One is a book of poetry by (the real) Antwone Fisher. The poem that Antwone recites in the film (Who Will Cry For the Little Boy?) was actually his original work and is included in his book. I agree with you...knowing that a story is true makes it even more meaningful.
As I've been thinking about the image of the "feast" in this film, it's almost as if there were stages (or phases) involved. First, there was the visualization of things to come (that recurring dream). Then, mobilization, or a moving toward that dream (the Thanksgiving dinner). Finally, actualization (his family's feast) which turned out to be more meaningful and complete than he'd even imagined that it could be.
I see so much symbolism wrapped up in the image of a banquet or a feast...so many truths and depths of truth that might be gleaned.
I'm looking forward to reading the books...very curious to know if this feast image was really an important part of Antwone Fisher's story or if it was something added later because it made the movie stronger.
But the "feast" image was played out even more throughout the movie. The doctor kept asking Antwone, "are you hungry?" Everyone is "Hungry" for Something. He tried to help Antwone see that His big hunger, was for knowledge of the past. A hunger for his family. And that until you find and address that "hunger," you will struggle to find peace and balance in your life.
Hey, Bryan, what a cool insight! I didn't pick up on that point before, but I think you're right on target. Now you've got me wanting to watch it again, so I can fully appreciate the added meaning within the storyline! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. :)
Another aspect of the movie that resonated with me, actually came to me while watching the special features after. Antwone's Real story is truly a story of triumph. And I'm talking about the getting the story made into a movie. Working as a guard at the studio, he was writing his story, just to be writing his story. The Producer saw him writing, and in this highly comptetive, good-ole-boy world of Hollywood, he stopped, took the time to find out what he was writing, then took the time to listen to the story, and then took the time to help him develope it. It gives me hope yet that not all parts of our society are as broken as they often appear.
Hey! That's an interesting tidbit that I had no clue about. I've only seen the movie on satellite tv, so I've never seen any extra information. Maybe the books I've ordered will shed more light on that sort of thing. Thanks for sharing that, Bryan! This story just keeps getting better and better!
Hey, Kimberlee. Don't change anything just yet! I got this movie, finally, and plan to watch it tonight.
That's good news, Steve! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts. :)
I thought this movie displayed a lot of control at the director level. ("Discipline" might be a better word than "control".) Action was kept to a minimum, and that made this kind of movie stronger. Conflict was not allowed to escalate into typical Hollywood levels of absurdity. I didn't feel like there was an attempt to overdramatize the life experience of the real Antwone Fisher the way some true-story movies appear to.
Fisher's story itself doesn't seem to be enough to warrant a movie; stories of survival and overcoming happen all the time. What makes this story noteworthy is the relationship between Antwone and his psychiatrist. In fact, it is that relationship that even causes Fisher to have a story (rather than a half-story).
The best parts of this movie were the conversations...between Antwone and his psychiatrist, and between Antwone and his girlfriend (superbly acted, by the way). I enjoyed the brotherly teasing interaction among Antwone's Navy buddies, too.
It was refreshing to see Antwone talk to himself when he was walking alone, and laughing about saying "I could eat" when walking with his girlfriend, but she wasn't in on the joke; only Antwone and the audience were. That was well done.
At the end of the movie, it bothered me that Antwone's no longer being a virgin was presented as a triumph. That seemed like the most concessionary point of the movie regarding Hollywood cultural expectation, but then maybe that's exactly how the real story happened, too.
Thanks for bringing this one to my attention. I enjoyed it.
Hey, Steve. I'm so glad you had a chance to view this movie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You mentioned a few things that I hadn't thought of...and a few things that I have been curious about. Like you, I was disappointed that the loss of virginity was heralded as the proof of healing. I'm looking forward to reading Antwone's book to see whether that (among other things) was really a part of his story or Hollywood's interpretation.
I definitely agree with you that the acting was excellent. If I'm not mistaken, this was Derek Luke's debut. Whether it was or not, he was perfect for the part. He seemed so genuinely vulnerable. That talking to himself thing (to me) was really endearing.
I think it's interesting how what we bring to a movie so affects what we take away. I think the scene with Antwone talking to his mother is one of the most emotional scenes for me. In my mind, he found a measure of release/freedom in that meeting. But, maybe that's just me reading my own ideas into the story.
There is more that I could mention, but I really want to watch the movie again (yes, again)and/or read the books before I do that.
Your comment...
"Fisher's story itself doesn't seem to be enough to warrant a movie; stories of survival and overcoming happen all the time."
...has given me something to ponder.
Yes, the scene with the birth mother was good. He said things that could both make her proud or make her agonize, depending on how she chose to take it. I kept expecting her to respond to him in some way, but she wouldn't. And he didn't push her to answer him, as if he wasn't needing to get answers from her as much as he just needed to say in her presense who he was, perhaps the first time he had verbally claimed all that for himself, even (I'm reading into it, now). She never answered, so we don't know how she actually took it, and I think it adds integrity to the final result that the director did not overstep the bounds of audience imagination and insert a definite response for her.
I think another aspect of the psychiatrist relationship, is the doctor's initial approach. "I'm hear to listen. To whatever you want or need to talk about. If you aren't ready yet, that's fine, I'll be sitting right here. Can you eat?" (ok, all that is a paraphrase for the legal experts out there.) He didn't try to force Antwone to talk, just gentle reminders that he was there whenever Antwone was ready. I think so many people now have the "fix-it" mentality. Tell me your problem, and I'll fix it for you!
I also agree on the whole virginity issue. He could have made the statement that he wasn't scared of women anymore, left it at that, and the viewer could have read what they needed into that and it would have been just as strong. Again, the sometimes less is more principal.
Steve and Bryan, thanks for your comments! I just received the books that I ordered (written by Antwone Fisher). Your comments have stirred up thoughts and questions in my mind, but I want to read through these books before I comment again. Don't disappear, okay?
Post a Comment