When faced with fear, how can one still love? And in the face of difficulty forgetting, how does one find the strength to forgive? These are the inquiries that emerge from Antwone Quenton Fisher’s narrative. Fisher, an African-American man portrayed by Derek Luke, experienced a pivotal figure in his life: Dr. Jerome Davenport (played by Denzel Washington), a navy psychiatrist. Dr. Davenport played a significant role as he offered support and provided an outlet for Fisher to express and alleviate the burdensome stress and pain that had haunted him all his life.
Antwone Fisher overcomes abuse, abandonment, and struggle to become a resilient and successful man. Although some details are altered, the movie Antwone Fisher accurately depicts his life, with a focus on his relationship with his psychiatrist and presented through flashbacks. In contrast, the book covers Fisher’s entire life and includes numerous significant individuals. Born to seventeen-year-old Eva Mae Fisher in a Cleveland, Ohio prison, Antwone’s journey is both inspiring and extraordinary.
Antwone’s father was murdered by his ex-girlfriend before he was born, leaving him without ever meeting him. Following his birth, Antwone was taken in by Mrs. Tate, an African American foster mother. Unfortunately, Mrs. Tate subjected him to various forms of abuse – mental, physical, and sexual – for fourteen years. Eventually, Antwone reached a breaking point and had an altercation with Mrs. Tate that led to his departure from her care. During this time, he also developed close friendships with two other foster children named Dwight and Keith who were under Mrs. Tate’s guardianship.
Upon reaching the age of 17, Antwone was expelled from his foster home and transferred to a reform school located in Pennsylvania.
Because he would reach the age of eighteen before completing his final year of high school, he managed to fulfill all of his required courses and graduate a year ahead. Following graduation, Fisher aspired to save sufficient funds to pursue art school, but instead found employment with a drug dealer and a pimp. Fisher was not content with this situation and never desired to be involved in such activities, but financial necessity forced him into it. Eventually, Fisher discovered that the pimp exploited children, prompting him to flee without a place to stay and resorting to begging for spare change. At this point, Fisher sought a transformative shift in his life and subsequently joined the navy for an eleven-year period.
Antwone Fisher shares his journey by recounting an incident at Pearl Harbor, wherein he engages in a confrontation with a fellow sailor who insults him based on his skin color. As a result of this altercation, Fisher is confined to the base and mandated to attend three sessions with a naval psychiatrist. Unaware at the time, Fisher soon realizes that this experience signifies a new chapter in his life. Initially resistant to opening up to Dr. Davenport, Fisher firmly believes that he is mentally sound and devoid of any issues. In his own words, Fisher states, “You may be able to make me come here, but you can’t make me speak.” (Wolz, Birgit. “Antwone Fisher.”)
Antwone initially hesitates to open up, but Dr. Davenport explains that their sessions cannot progress unless he starts sharing. It is during the fifth session that Antwone finally breaks the silence with a question, “what do you want me to say?” This marks the beginning of Antwone’s therapy. Dr. Davenport initiates the conversation by inquiring about Antwone’s background and family. This prompts Antwone to start recounting his life story, which eventually leads him to reveal the traumatic experiences of his childhood characterized by neglect and abuse. Antwone recalls how initially, he couldn’t face Dr. Davenport while talking about his life and instead sat on the floor in front of his desk, out of sight. However, as their sessions progress, Antwone gains the courage to sit face-to-face and confide in Dr. Davenport, making him the first person he ever shares his story with. In the movie, Antwone describes enduring mental abuse where he and others were frequently referred to as “nigger” by their abuser, with distinctions made based on how the word was uttered.
Antwone’s anger and violence stemmed from the physical abuse he endured. He recalls how Mrs. Tate, his caretaker, would bind him and threaten him with fire in the basement. According to Fisher, his earliest memories were of being sexually assaulted, beaten, and confined in the basement for extended periods of time. These experiences led him to believe that trustworthy adults did not exist. Additionally, Antwone was also sexually abused by Mrs. Tate’s babysitter. It wasn’t fear of punishment that prevented him from speaking out; rather, it was overwhelming shame about what had occurred and the possibility that he was responsible. He often wondered why he had to reside with the Picketts, why he couldn’t know his biological parents, and why happiness eluded him for so long. These encounters made it challenging for him to grasp love or establish genuine connections, leaving him clueless about personal relationships with women. However, during his service in the navy, Fisher met Cheryl (played by Joy Bryant). As they grew closer and became acquainted with one another on a deeper level, they formed a profound bond and fell deeply in love.
After establishing trust with Fisher, Dr. Davenport learned about his upbringing in foster care and his strong bond with Jessie. When asked about Jessie’s whereabouts, Fisher admitted they had lost contact. However, shortly after their conversation, Fisher underwent another altercation and had to inform his superiors. It was during this discussion with Dr. Davenport that Fisher finally disclosed the truth regarding Jessie’s fate.
While living on the streets, Fisher visited Jessie’s house after a period of not seeing each other. Jessie greeted Fisher warmly and went as far as preparing a meal for him. They then decided to go for a walk together to the store. Nevertheless, upon reaching the store, Jessie surprised Fisher by suddenly brandishing a gun and pointing it at the cashier. This unexpected behavior left Fisher puzzled and astonished. Seeking clarification, Fisher asked about Jessie’s actions, but instead of providing an explanation, Jessie turned the conversation back towards Fisher. Tragically, before they could resolve their confusion, the cashier responded by shooting Jessie in the head.
Upon witnessing this, Fisher is deeply affected by Jessie’s death, which continues to haunt him throughout his life. The pain of such an experience becomes clear to Dr. Davenport as Fisher expresses his agony. Jessie was Fisher’s sole beloved companion. Subsequently, Fisher develops a strong bond with Dr. Davenport and perceives him as an integral part of his life, someone he can turn to for guidance and any other pressing needs. As Fisher had never experienced a Thanksgiving feast with his own family, Dr. Davenport’s wife kindly extends an invitation for Fisher to join their family dinner.
During the dinner, an uncomfortable comment from one of Dr. Davenport’s family members caused Antwone to excuse himself from the table. Subsequently, Dr. Davenport convened with Antwone in another room of the house, where Antwone presented a heartfelt poem he had written. The poem expressed the longing for someone to empathize with a little boy who is lost, alone, and abandoned, as he cries himself to sleep.
He never had anything permanent. Who will lament for the young boy? He walked the scorching sand. Who will lament for the young boy? The boy inside the man. Who will lament for the young boy? Who knows anguish and suffering too well. Who will lament for the young boy? He experienced countless deaths. Who will lament for the young boy? He tried to be a good person. Who will lament for the young boy, who cries inside of me?”
Dr. Davenport then inquires, “Who will lament for the young boy Antwone?” Fisher replies, “I will, I always do.” (“Memorable Quotes for Antwone Fisher.”) In this scene, Antwone truly expresses his emotions and demonstrates his progress in life despite his anger issues. Through mandated sessions with Dr. Davenport, Fisher is encouraged to seek out his birth mother in order to release his anger by conveying his feelings to her and showing her how far he has come. Fisher ultimately decides to return to Cleveland to find his mother and his true family, with Cheryl accompanying him for support.
The moment Fisher arrives in Cleveland, he visits the foster home where he grew up and discovers his father’s full name, Elkin, in order to search for his family. Together, they tirelessly contact every Elkin listed in the Cleveland area phonebooks until they finally locate Fisher’s aunt. His aunt graciously extends an invitation to him and a family member drives him to meet his birth mother. This is Antwone’s opportunity to express the lifelong emotions he has carried. He confides in her, assuring her that her absence did not hinder his success. “No matter what you attempted, it couldn’t ruin me!”
Despite the emotional conversation with his birthmother that rendered her speechless and brought tears to her eyes, Antwone Fisher remains resolute and unwavering. After parting ways with his birthmother, Fisher goes to see his aunt who warmly embraces him along with their entire extended family. As he sits at the dinner table, Fisher finds himself surrounded by relatives he had lost contact with as well as his girlfriend Cheryl.
Fisher is currently living his lifelong dream. From the start of the film, he envisioned everything happening exactly as it did. After meeting his family and achieving all his goals, Fisher and Cheryl returned to Honolulu, where he expressed gratitude to Dr. Davenport for his assistance. Presently, the real Antwone Fisher is married to LaNette Canister since December 1, 1996. They have two children named Indigo and Azure. Fisher has achieved great success in various fields including writing, filmmaking, and poetry.
