There are certain films you have preconceived notions about. I was certain Denzel Washington's "The Great Debaters" was going to be a sanitized, feel-good rendition of the true story about an all black, small Texas college debate team during the time of Jim Crow. The PG-13 rating only reinforced my prejudice. So I skipped this film upon it's initial theatrical run. It received very good reviews, acclaim, and was thoroughly "pushed" by Oprah Winfrey, who's Harpo productions is listed on the credits. I wasn't buying it. "Antwone Fisher", also directed by Denzel, was also based on a true story. Again, armed with a PG-13 rating, I didn't think the film could properly dramatize the novels seedier aspects of child abuse. I did not buy a movie ticket for this either upon it's release in 2002. Recently I had an idea of having a mini-Denzel Washington film home film festival, and put these two films, along with "American Gangster", at the top of my queue. I'm glad I did. "The Great Debaters" is an extremely literate, well-told, well-directed, beautifully filmed adaptation of a magazine article about the first all black school debate team to join in a match vs the nations' top white schools, including USC(Harvard substitutes for USC in the film). I felt I had received a great education viewing the movie, as well as being entertained. The performances from the young cast are universally pitch-perfect. The standouts in the cast include Forest Whitaker's real-life son, Denzel Whitaker. The film pushes the boundaries of the PG-13 rating by depicting some of the more vicious aspects of our countries legacy not told in history books. Great detail and sensitivity is displayed in capturing exactly what it must have been like to be a Negro in 1935 rural Texas. Not knowing what parts of the back country would be safe to navigate through, being humiliated in public by white citizens and law enforcement alike. Not being able to travel, eat, or sleep in establishments throughout the south. There is a Rocky-type sports movie finish, but there so many other rich rewards in this film for a hearty recommendation. Watch the extra features which include Washington interviewing many of the historical figures portrayed in the film.
"Antwone Fisher" is a deeply personal story about one man's journey to find himself. Derek Luke is outstanding in the titular role, displaying intense anger, and poetic depth to his character. With the help of a command appointed psychiatrist, played by Denzel Washington, Fisher is forced to confront his demons. In shattering flashbacks we see Fisher's upbringing in a foster home headed by an abusive mom. Violence and sexual abuse are depicted realistically and unflinchingly. The psychiatrist and young Navy enlisted man form a very strong bond. They push each other to do the hard work necessary to find a new beginning to their respective lives. If you skipped these movies during their theatrical run, rent them together for a very entertaining and enriching film night.
"Antwone Fisher" is a deeply personal story about one man's journey to find himself. Derek Luke is outstanding in the titular role, displaying intense anger, and poetic depth to his character. With the help of a command appointed psychiatrist, played by Denzel Washington, Fisher is forced to confront his demons. In shattering flashbacks we see Fisher's upbringing in a foster home headed by an abusive mom. Violence and sexual abuse are depicted realistically and unflinchingly. The psychiatrist and young Navy enlisted man form a very strong bond. They push each other to do the hard work necessary to find a new beginning to their respective lives. If you skipped these movies during their theatrical run, rent them together for a very entertaining and enriching film night.
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