Antwone Fisher parents guide

Antwone Fisher Parent Guide

Overall C

Denzel Washington makes his directorial debut in this poignant film about the senseless acts of murder, abuse and abandonment that color a child's existence. Based on the real life experiences of the film's screenwriter, Antwone Fisher explores those events and the conscious choices needed to make a course correction in life.

Release date December 19, 2002

Violence D+
Sexual Content D+
Profanity D
Substance Use B+

Why is Antwone Fisher rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Antwone Fisher PG-13 for violence, language, and mature thematic material including child abuse.

Run Time: 120 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke) took his first breath of life inside the confines of a prison wall. Seized by the state’s child services program, the fatherless child of an inmate mother is eventually placed in the care of a reverend and his wife. There he regularly attends church services with his foster brothers. But while the preacher is out saving the souls of his congregation, Mrs. Tate (Novella Nelson) and her daughter Nadine (Yolanda Ross) resort to physical, verbal and sexual maltreatment of their young wards.

Abandoned by the social system at age 18, Antwone is turned out on the streets with a pittance of cash and no future in sight. After witnessing a brutal murder, he signs up to serve his country in the U.S. Navy. But when his inclination for violent outbreaks begins to disrupt life in the barracks, he is sent to see the base psychiatrist, Dr. Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington). Refusing to talk, Antwone wiles away his first sessions in silence, until a comfortable bond develops between the two officers. Finally, the short-tempered sailor unloads the sordid details of his abusive upbringing.

Encouraged by the doctor and his wife, Berta (Salli Richardson), Antwone boards a plane bound for Cleveland. With the gentle support of his fellow naval officer, Cheryl (Joy Bryant), he searches for the family he never knew and the mother who failed to come to his rescue.

Denzel Washington makes his directorial debut in this poignant film about the senseless acts of murder, abuse and abandonment that color this child’s existence. Based on the real life experiences of the film’s screenwriter, Antwone Fisher explores those events and the conscious choices needed to make a course correction in life.

The ability to face challenges and the power of forgiveness are strong themes in this journey. But parents are cautioned to take into account the movie’s disturbing subject matter and language (including a couple of sexual expletives and the repeated use of a racial slur), before letting older teens get caught in the wake of these rough waters.

Starring Denzel Washington, Derek Luke. Running time: 120 minutes. Theatrical release December 19, 2002. Updated

Antwone Fisher Parents' Guide

How does the movie depict the social programs designed to help children?

How did the doctor’s relationship with Antwone affect his personal life? Why did he feel so strongly about the young officer finding his family? Was the outcome negative or positive?

What did Antwone learn about forgiveness? How did it affect his relationship with others in the movie?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Antwone Fisher movie is January 20, 2009. Here are some details…

Antwone Fisher releases on Blu-ray in a widescreen presentation. Audio tracks are available in 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (English), and 5.1 Dolby Surround (French and Spanish), with subtitles in English and Spanish. Bonus materials include an audio commentary by the filmmakers, the original theatrical trailer and featurettes (Meeting Antwone Fisher, The Making of Antwone Fisher, andHollywood and the Navy). The disc also offersBD-Live Bootstrap.

 

Related home video titles:

Denzel Washington stars in a variety of movie roles including a football coach in Remember the Titans, an angelic mediator in The Preacher’s Wife and a distraught father fighting the medical system in John Q..

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