MovieChat Forums > Antwone Fisher (2003) Discussion > So what did Antwone Fisher do that was s...

So what did Antwone Fisher do that was so great?

posted 20 years ago by GradyQ
72 replies | jump to latest

Seriously, what did Antwone Fisher ever do with his life that was so great that warrants a movie being made about his life, or even a book being written about him? Seems to me he was a poor kid from a bad situation who rose above many obstacles to become a moderately successful writer. That's all well and good, and nothing against him, but so what? There are tons of screenwriters in Hollywood, many of whom are more successful and better writers than Antwone Fisher. I'm sure you wouldn't have to look too hard to find one that had a rough home life. It just seems that the whole book/movie was Antwone Fisher tooting his own horn, as if he's gone on to become a great man instead of only a good one. If by holding a job and being a better person than the vermin that raised him makes him a hero, then what the hell does that say about heroes? Are all of us heroes? Or were we just not expecting anything from young Antwone to begin with, so we now herald his mediocrity as if it were greatness?

GQ

[–] ndirish5567 13 years ago

White man here with a very similar background to Mr. Fisher (worse in some ways, better in terms of I didn't come from poverty).

I deal with a tremendous amount of black youth in my profession and I think it was a very important film in that, most black men do not seek counseling. It's taboo in that culture. I'm not trying to be "down" or however you want to look at what I'm saying, but I spend so much of my time mentoring young black men from the ages of 16-22 that I not only know that culture well, but that of their parents as well and have grown to understand it.

You really do have to step outside your own race if you are not black (by the way, I do not use the term African-American as I actually consider that to be racist. I know it sounds odd, but if you're born in America, you're the same as me). Growing up in a middle-class white neighborhood, every kid I knew was on some sort of anti-depression medication or seeing a child psychologist at a young age for "daddy issues". That does not happen in the inner city for white or black men. As we know, in most parts of the country the inner-cities are mostly populated by black people.

Is there anything "special about Antwone Fisher"? He's special in that he confronted his demons and overcame them. Is he "special" compared to the rest of the world in terms of his story? Absolutely not. I can think of far, far, far more tragic stories to make a film about.

That really isn't the point though. The message the movie sent was clear, it was well-receipted, well-acted and well-directed.

There are plenty of people whose stories may not be "special" in everyone's eyes to warrant a movie, but I felt this addressed an issue that needed to be.

Call me White Uncle Tom ... that's just how I feel. I know throughout the years many of the young black men I helped were moved to seek help from the movie and so were their fathers. If a movie can do that, it was worth making.

[–] CathyCPA09 12 years ago

I really liked the movie but I see your point. I had a crummy childhood as did a lot of people. I had to deal with foster homes, etc also. I wasn't molested or raped but had to deal with some indecency and other types of abuse. I guess I turned out okay and maybe "overcame the odds" if you can call it that considering I have an "ordinary" life, job, marriage, etc. I have never been arrested or imprisoned or insane or anything. But I don't think I'm great in any way just because it didn't affect me too much. I'm an average person with an average life and I'm very satisfied and content with just that.

[–] LTUM 12 years ago

it's not that he rose to some level of greatness on society's scale, but rather it's the fact that he overcame all the hardships and never quit fighting.

it's just a good story, not about achieving stardom.

people now measure value in what social media and pop culture say, rather than evaluating a thing on its own merits. it's all about values, and what's important to you. if pop culture and sports and other trite stuff is what sets your scale of values, then you may not see the value in antwone's triumph.

and again, to answer your question: he didn't necessarily do something great. it's just a fabulous story

drugs...changed...everything..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MGBn3KawM&feature=related

[–] GradyQ 8 years ago

Still waiting for his next screenplay!

I wonder if he went back to being a security guard?

GQ

[–] fred1239 8 years ago

Sometimes it's as simple as someone who has the funds to make something happen make it happen. Which is what I think happend here. Denzel Washington is the director so my guess is he read about Fishers story and it touched him enough to want to meet the guy than make the story even more known to the world by turning it into a Film.

and I'm glad he did because it's one of my favorite movies.

[–] kellycallie (728) 6 years ago

First of all, most discharged kids out of foster care (all races) usually end up on the street, in jail or are absorbed into criminally especially males. He got himself out of a prolonged state of homelessness by enlisting in the navy which was also very brave and he stayed away from crime. That is commendable. When I was discharged from foster care I had no idea how to take care of myself. I felt helpless. I ended up living with my aunt until I got on my feet and I took years to complete school. Really, the movie makes him seem like a broken person needing to be fixed but he had way better coping skills than many. Nearly all my foster peers I met in group homes have ended up in bad way as adults.