Washington was brought the script originally just to play the part of Jerome Davenport. The film marks the directorial debut of Denzel Washington, the first screenwriting credit for Antwone Fisher, and the first feature film-role for Derek Luke. Fisher wrote 41 drafts until the script was sold by Black to 20th Century Fox, who ultimately released it under their Fox Searchlight Pictures banner. Black reviewed the script for a week and told Fisher that though he couldn't make a deal, he wanted to hire him full-time as a screenwriter. The class was taught by Chris Smith, who delivered an introduction to a producer named Todd Black. Church after a chance encounter with a limo driver.
The movie stresses Antwone's relationship with his doctor as opposed to the book, which chronicles Antwone's entire life.Īntwone Fisher explains in his novel Finding Fish, that he took a free screenwriting class at Bethel A.M.E. However, the book proceeds in a linear fashion while the movie is explained through various flashbacks. The film generally follows the plot of the novel. Jenifer Lewis as Aunt Mary Williams (uncredited cameo)įinding Fish is an autobiographical account written by Antwone Fisher upon which the movie was based.Vernee Watson-Johnson as Annette Elkins.Joy Bryant as Petty Officer Second Class Cheryl Smolley.Malcolm David Kelley as Antwone Fisher (age 7).Derek Luke as Ship's Serviceman Third Class/Seaman Antwone "Fish" Fisher.The film draws to a close as Davenport and Antwone go to eat. Davenport confesses that he had been failing to deal with his own problems, and that treating Antwone prompted him to finally confront his demons. Davenport then replies that it is he who should be thanking Antwone. When he returns to the Elkins household, he finds a feast prepared for him and finds the family he lost.Īntwone visits Davenport and thanks him for everything. Antwone finds closure, forgives her, and leaves. Antwone learns his mother lives nearby, and goes to visit her. Tate ultimately reveals Antwone's father's name: Edward Elkins.Īfter looking through multiple telephone books, Antwone comes into contact with his aunt Annette and visits her. After a dead end at social services, Antwone decides to return to the Tate household. Realizing he needs to find his parents to find closure, Antwone asks Cheryl to go with him to Cleveland. He reveals his best friend Jesse was killed while attempting a robbery, and that he resents Jesse for leaving him behind. Antwone breaks down, feeling everyone has abandoned him. Following the graduation ceremony, Davenport tells Antwone that he's ending the sessions and feels Antwone needs to progress on his own. Antwone refuses, but thanks Davenport before inviting him to a graduation ceremony. Antwone eventually reveals to Cheryl that he sees a psychiatrist.Īt a Thanksgiving dinner, Davenport advises Antwone to find his real family. Davenport meets him in jail, where Antwone confides the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. While on leave in Mexico, Antwone gets into a fight with a sailor who insinuates that he is gay, and is thrown into jail. Antwone finally goes on a date with Cheryl and establishes a relationship with her. With Antwone still getting into altercations, Davenport tries to explore his feelings for Cheryl in order to channel Antwone's feelings into something positive. Meanwhile, Antwone develops feelings for fellow Navy sailor Cheryl. Antwone is at first extremely resistant, but gradually comes to trust Davenport and opens up about his traumatic childhood. Jerome Davenport, who attempts to get him to open up. His commanding officer also orders him to go to psychiatric treatment. The rough life he had as a child has caused him to have a violent temper after getting into a fight with a fellow sailor, Antwone is sentenced at a captain's mast to be demoted, fined, and restricted to the ship for 45 days. After living out on the streets for the next few years, he decides to join the U.S. Tate's hands, and is molested by her adult niece Nadine. Antwone suffers years of physical and emotional abuse at Mrs. Since she had not yet claimed him, at the age of two Antwone was placed in a foster home run by a couple, Mr. He was then placed in an orphanage until such time as she was released and could claim him. His father was killed before he was born and his teenage mother, Eva Mae Fisher, ended up arrested soon after and put in jail, where she gave birth to him. The film focuses on Antwone "Fish" Fisher, a temperamental young man from Cleveland, Ohio with a violent history who is serving in the U.S.