"Dead Poet's Society," "Good Will Hunting," "Finding Forrester," and many others follow the same basic storyline. The young, troubled kid who's going down the wrong path, then the older guy comes in, acts as mentor, and shows the kid the right way in life. There are tons of movies like that, and the latest one is "Antwone Fisher." This one is a little different, though. For one thing, it's a true story. Secondly, and perhaps most notably, it's written by the subject himself, Antwone Fisher, and it's a really good screenplay.
"Antwone Fisher" is Fisher's debut screenplay, and as it turns out, the star of the film, the one playing "Antwone Fisher," is making his feature film debut, as well. His name is Derek Luke, and aside from an appearance or two in the TV shows "Moesha" and "The King of Queens," he's done no acting before. This is his first time front and center, and his first time in a feature film, and his performance is quite impressive.
It doesn't end there, though. The director of the film is also making HIS directorial debut. It just so happens that the director is one of the most acclaimed actors working today. That actor is the great Denzel Washington, and with this film, he proves that he's not only a great actor (if you want proof, watch any movie he's ever been in, especially "Malcolm X" and "Training Day"), but he's a pretty damn good director, as well.
Denzel fans need not worry, he's not only behind the camera, he's also in front. However, he's not the main guy in the film. He plays the mentor role, but no, he's not the main guy. Make no mistake, the star is Derek Luke. As for their scenes together, they both have obvious chemistry, and the scenes are very good.
Joy Bryant (she was in the MTV TV-Movie, "Carmen: A Hip Hopera") plays the love interest, but she isn't simply "the girl." Well, maybe she is, but at least it's clear that she is (or was) an important part in the life of "Antwone Fisher." That is, assuming that she actually exists. The movie has some fiction in it, and she may be one of the fictional people. Or maybe not. I shoulda done more research. In a much smaller role is Viola Davis (a great actress who director Steven Soderbergh likes a lot... she was in "Out of Sight," "Traffic," and most recently, "Solaris"). Viola Davis has only been in a few films, but she's been making her mark. She has a way of being very powerful in small roles, and her role in this film is no exception.
"Antwone Fisher" is a movie starring a guy making his feature film acting debut, written by a guy making his feature film screenplay debut, and directed by a guy making his feature film directing debut. The three of them came together and made a solid movie that's very moving, and very entertaining, but despite it being based on fact (although, like I said earlier, some of the persons and events are fiction), it still a little too formulaic. That's me being nitpicky, though, this is a great movie.
Scale of 1-10: 9