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Homecoming
Finding
self-esteem.
BY
LOIS WADSWORTH
ANTWONE FISHER:
Directed by Denzel Washington. Written by Antwone Fisher, inspired
by his life. Producers Todd Black, Randa Haines, Denzel Washington.
Executive producer, Nancy Paloian-Breznikar. Cinematography, Philippe
Rousselot. Production design, Nelson Coates. Editor, Conrad Buff.
Music by Mychael Danna. Costumes, Sharen Davis. Starring Derek Luke,
Joy Bryant and Denzel Washington. With Salli Richardson, Earl Billings,
Kevin Connolly, Vernée Watson Johnson, Novella Nelson, Viola
Davis, Yolanda Ross, De'Angelo K. Wilson, Malcolm David Kelley and
Corey Hodges. Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2002. PG-13. 117 minutes.
 |
| Antwone
Fisher (Derek Luke) keeps a journal onboard his ship. |
Antwone Fisher is first of all about
new beginnings. Denzel Washing-ton chose this upbeat, inspirational
story to be his directorial debut. And in Derek Luke, who plays Fisher,
Washington found an emotionally accessible, fresh-faced, actor making
his first film. Joy Bryant, who plays Antwone's girlfriend, Cheryl,
has had a couple of small roles, but this is her first big chance.
The movie also celebrates the first-time effort of screenwriter Antwone
Fisher, whose life story it is.
All filmmaking is collaborative — how else could
such complicated endeavors be undertaken? In this film, Washington,
Fisher, Luke and Bryant find unique, subtle ways to express what having
a new start in life means. Washington directs as he acts — straightforward,
solid workmanship, with a talent for finding the telling detail, selecting
the image that lingers. Fisher spares no one in this picture of a
thrown-away kid who finds the path back to himself. Luke's nuanced
performance shows how an angry young adult, hair-trigger ready to
explode at every
imagined slight, learns to respond to and grow from gentle consideration,
respect and care. Bryant's Cheryl expresses a serene acceptance and
patience that goes a long way toward healing Antwone's life-long wounds.
It's really hard to watch the brutalities that Antwone
experiences as a child. His mother abandoned him after giving birth
to him in prison; his father was murdered before he was born; and
the boy grew up in grim household headed by a storefront preacher
and his abusive wife. Antwone wasn't even called by his name in this
"home," which he fled when he could.
Coming from such a horror story, Ant-wone's enlisting
in the Navy is the only thing that saves him from an early death on
the streets, because his temper is out-of-control. He's referred to
the Navy psychiatrist, Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington), for fighting,
and that's a good thing. Someone hears him. Someone cares. The third
smart choice — Cheryl (Joy Bryant), who's also in the Navy —
comes later, after Antwone has learned to control his impulse to strike
out.
What's admirable about Antwone is not that life deals
him a sorry hand, but rather how he plays it. It's obvious that he
feels sorry for himself at times, and who wouldn't? But once he begins
facing up to his past, he understands that he can change what happens
now and in the future. That's the gift Davenport gives him, and with
it comes responsibilities he might have wished to avoid. The most
difficult is actually seeing the mother who left him and never looked
back.
Played by the great Viola Davis (Far From Heaven,
Solaris), Eva is strung out on crack and living in filth. She
is speechless when confronted by the son she never knew. In a bravura
performance, Davis leaves the viewer touched by her character's mute
self-reckoning. It's a powerful, true moment.
Equally touching is Antwone's acceptance by his father's
family. The faces of the aged members of this large extended family
are particularly moving, because they know the real value of family
in their bones. And their pleasure in welcoming this handsome young
man into the family leaves the audience with a genuine sense of homecoming
and closure.
Now playing at Movies 12, Antwone Fisher is
highly recommended.
Back to Top
Tribal
Conflicts
Sherm
Alexie faces the rez.
BY
LOIS WADSWORTH
THE BUSINESS OF FANCYDANCING: Written
and directed by Sherman Alexie. Produced by Larry Estes, Scott M.
Rosenfelt. Executive producers John Benear, Bradford Bond. Cinematographer,
Holly Taylor. Editor, Holly Taylor. Art direction Jonathon Saturen.
Starring Evan Adams, Michelle St. John, Gene Tagaban, Swil Kanim,
with Rebecca Carroll and Kevin Phillip. Falls Apart Production, Outrider
Pictures, 2002. NR. 87 minutes.
 |
| Seymour
(Evan Adams) and Aristotle (Gene Tagaban) get up close and personal
with their differences. |
I really like Sherman Alexie's art film, The Business
of Fancydancing. Several years ago I watched this Spokane/Couer
d'Alene artist perform (and that is the right verb, not the tamer
"read") at a bookseller's convention at the Hilton. He did several
hilarious pieces from Res-ervation Blues, taking on different
characters. He talked about Smoke Signals, the movie based
on his screenplay. In clever, spicy anecdotes, Alexie charmed the
socks off his audience while speaking his mind about life on the rez,
living in white society, and fitting in or not as an Indian artist.
Unpretentious to the core, Alexie's not only smart,
talented and droll but also serious about refusing to pigeonhole his
work as an artist. He writes poems, novels, screenplays and short
stories. Now he directs a movie. Alexie can take on any project, because
he brings to it unique sensibilities and a robust, good-natured willingness
to take risks, to claim new territory for art's sake.
The Business of Fancydancing plays at 8 pm
on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 in 180 PLC on campus. Brought here for the
11th Annual UO Queer Film Festival, Feb. 21-23, it's an unusual film
for this venue, because Alexie is not a gay filmmaker — he's
married and the father of two. But the film's protagonist, Seymour
Polatkin (Evan Adams), is a gay poet. Seymour's views on art and ethnicity
remind me of Alexie's, and because the film is sensitive to outsider
issues, it has found a home in gay film fests.
The film opens as Seymour reads a poem at a Seattle
bookstore. Seymour's poems concern his memories of growing up on the
rez with his best friend and cousin, Aristotle (Gene Tagaban), and
their crazed buddy, Mouse (Swil Kanim). Aristotle left the rez to
go to college with Seymour, but he couldn't take white society. Mouse
plays violin beautifully, but he's been self-destructing in any number
of sordid ways for years now.
Seymour's poet voice is self-deprecating and ironic,
like the subtle Indian humor that flavors Smoke Signals. "I'm
proud to be an American Indian gay man," he tells book buyers picking
up signed books. "I'm the affirmative-action poet. They have to let
some brown man rail against the injustices in the world." He tells
them that he's a liar and proves it by giving each a different story
about himself. But on the rez his estranged buddy Aristotle refers
to him as "that little public relations warrior," and he doesn't mean
it kindly.
Seymour's lover (Kevin Phillip) takes the 3 am call
informing Seymour that Mouse has killed himself. After 16 years, Seymour
returns to the reservation, and now The Business of Fancydancing
gets down to business. Aristotle and the others (one character
played by Alexie himself) don't think Seymour belongs. His once girlfriend,
Agnes, who teaches on the rez, is the only person to stand up for
his coming to the funeral. She thinks that Seymour's popular success
as a writer sets him apart from the others, but Seymour (and Alexie)
understand that it goes deeper. It's what he wants to explore as an
artist that makes the gulf unbridgeable. In a word, ambition.
Adams is personable and sweet. He's grown since Smoke
Signals, and he stretches to meet this film's demands. St. John
expresses a range of emotions that I welcomed. Cameos by Cynthia Geary
and Elaine Miles from "Northern Exposure" were like old friends. The
woman journalist (Rebecca Carroll) who baits Seymour about giving
standard answers to her dumb questions serves as an example of the
unimaginative interviews that celebrities have to endure endlessly.
Small wonder they're crabby with the press.
Don't miss this first-rate film. For a complete schedule
of the UO Queer Film Festival offerings, see EW Calendar or
check the web site http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~qff.
Back to Top
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following
date of EW publication unless otherwise noted. See
archived movie reviews.
Bringing Down the House: Domestic comedy starring
Steve Martin and Queen Latifa is directed by Adam Shankman. PG-13.
Sneak at 7:30 pm. on 2/22. Cinemark.
Burn! (1970): Gillo Pontecorvo's historical intrigue drama
about a 19th century Brit (Marlon Brando) sent by his government to
put down a slave rebellion on a Caribbean island colonized by the
Portuguese. Excellent performances; fabulous cinematography. At 7
pm on 2/27 in 180 PLC, UO. Free.
Business of Fancydancing, The: Sherman Alexie's directorial
debut is a goodnatured look at the trials of a Native American poet
who returns to the reservation for the funeral of an old friend and
a deeper question about being an artist. Highly recommended. NR. Part
of the 11th Annual UO Queer Film Festival, it plays at 8 pm on 2/21
and 2/28 in 180 PLC, UO. Single tickets $4 UO students/$5 general.
See review this issue.
Dark Blue: Detective yarn directed by Ron Shelton
stars Kurt Russell as the veteran and Scott Speedman as the rookie,
with Brendan Gleeson, Michael Michele, Lolita Davidovich and Ving
Rhames. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Eureka: Japanese director Shinji Aoyama's film played at Cannes
and was considered one of the best of 2001. At 7 pm on 2/21 in 207
Chapman, UO. Free.
Frogs (1972): Another treat from the "Nature Bites Back with
Double Cheese" B-video pizzeria. Critters take revenge on an obnoxious
clan of Southern industrialist who messed up their swamp. NR. AT 7:30
pm on 2/26 in 100 Willamette, UO. Free.
Gods and Generals: Jeff Shaara's epic novel about the Civil
War, adapted by director Ronald F. Maxwell, stars Jeff Daniels, Robert
Duvall, Stephen Lang and Mira Sorvino. Nearly four hours long, with
intermission. PG-13. Cinemark.
Life of David Gale, The: Suspense drama directed by Alan Parker
stars Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet and Laura Linney. Death penalty opponent
on death row claims he was framed to reporter. R. Cinemark.
Monsoon Wedding (2001): As a Punjabi family in Delhi gathers
for a wedding celebration, traditional and contemporary culture mix.
Created by Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!), staring Naseeruddin
Shah, Lillete Dubey and others. Highly recommended. At 7:30 pm on
2/25 in 122 Pacific Hall, UO. R. Online archives.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1998): Giuseppe Tornatore's film about
a young man's love of cinema was a big success in this country. R.
At 7 pm on 2/21 in International Lounge, EMU, UO. Free.
Old School: From Road Trip, Luke Wilson, Will
Ferrell and Vince Vaughn try to recapture the fun of their college
years by starting their own off-campus frat house. R. Cinema World.
Cinemark.
Serezha (A Summer to Remember, 1960): Directed by Georgii
Nikolaevich Daneliia. At 8:25 on 2/24 in 115 Pacific Hall, UO. Free.
Sick and Twisted Animation: Really. NR. LateNite Bijou.
Wildlife Film Festival: The International Wildlife Film Festival's
Post-Festival Tour features several award-winning films from around
the world. At 7:30 pm on 2/26 in 177 Lawrence, UO. Free UO students/$2
general..
CONTINUING:
About Schmidt: Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander
Payne's (Election) film about a just-retired man who feels
adrift. His only daughter, Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry
unwisely, and his wife of 42 years dies suddenly. He goes on the road
to find himself. 2002 Academy Award nominations to Nicholson and Kathy
Bates. R. Cinemark. Online archives.
Adaptation: Director Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman's
film that blurs the boundaries between reality and fictional representation.
Nicolas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman trying to hold back the terrors
of writer's block while writing a screenplay of Susan Orlean's book,
The Orchid Thief. Meryl Streep plays Orleans, and Chris Cooper's
an avid orchid collector. 2002 Academy Award noms to Streep, Cage,
Cooper, the Kaufmans for adapted screenplay. R. Cinema World. Online
archives.
Analyze That: Sequel reunites crazy-as-a-fox Paul Vitti (Robert
De Niro) and Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), but Sobel's wife (Lisa
Kudrow) is not happy about having Vitto around. Has he really lost
his mind, or is it just a ruse to get out of the slammer? Directed
by Harold Ramis. R. Movies 12.
Antwone Fisher: Denzel Washington directs and stars in the
true story of an alienated African American sailor (Derek Luke) and
the Navy psychiatrist who helps him find himself. Washington and Luke
overcome sentimentality to create an enduring work. Highly recommended.
PG-13. Movies 12. See review this issue.
Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio's
chase movie about an actual con man of the 1960s who passed himself
off as a pilot, doctor, lawyer, professor and forged millions in checks
while still in his teens. Christopher Walken and Tom Hanks co-star.
Highly recommended. 2002 Academy Award nom for John Williams' original
score, Walken. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Chicago: Broadway spectacular directed by Rob Marshall
stars Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones as killer dames behind
bars who compete for tabloid coverage. With Queen Latifah, John C.
Reilly and Richard Gere. 2002 Academy Award nominations for best picture,
director, Zellweger, Reilly, Latifah, adapted screenplay, original
song, cinematography, costumes, sound and editing. PG 13. Cinemark.
Cinema World. Online archives.
Daredevil: Marvel Comic's Man Without Fear is directed
by Mark Steven Johnson. Stars Ben Affleck as the masked vigilante,
Jennifer Graner, Michael Clarke Duncan, Colin Farrell, Joe Pantolliano,
Jon Favreau and David Keith. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Deliver Us From Eva: Romantic comedy stars Gabrielle Union
as the tough older sister who's run her younger sisters' lives for
many years. Now they are married, and their husbands want Eva to chill
and bring on LL Cool J to distract her. R. Cinemark 17.
Die Another Day: Pierce Brosnan returns as James Bond for
a new mission that takes him to Iceland in this action adventure yarn
directed by Lee Tamahori. Costars Halle Berry, John Cleese and Judi
Dench, with Rosamund Pike. Evil enemies played by Toby Stephens and
Rick Yune. PG-13. Movies 12.
Final Destination 2: More teenager with near-death experiences
that end in actual death experiences. A.J. Cook stars as Kimberly,
a car crash survivor who is stalked by Death. R. Cinemark.
Friday After Next, The: In installment three of
the Friday series, Ice Cube and Mike Epps are back in the neighborhood
where it all began. Directorial debut video director Marcus Raboy.
R. Movies 12.
Gangs of New York: Martin Scorsese's epic set in mid-1800s
N.Y. stars Leonard DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis as rival gang leaders.
The notorious Civil War draft riots also rock the city. Co-stars Cameron
Diaz, John C. Reilly and Jim Broadbent. One of the year's great films.
Academy Award nominations for best picture, Scorsese director, Day-Lewis,
original screenplay, original song, art direction, cinematography,
costumes, sound and editing. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema
World. Online archives.
Guy Thing, A: Selma Blair, Julia Stiles and Jason Lee star
in this film directed by Chris Koch. Lee's character has to iron out
the truth to tell his fiancé (Blair), but doesn't seem to know
himself. PG 13. Movies 12.
Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets: Again directed
by Chris Columbus, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)
and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) try to uncover a dark force terrorizing
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. G. Online archives.
Movies 12.
Hot Chick: Verbally abusive cheerleader wakes up in the body
of Rob Schneider. Yikes! Directed by Tom Brady. PG-13. Movies 12.
Hours, The: Complex, critically acclaimed film directed by
Stephen Daldry stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep.
Based on Virginia Woolf's life, her novel, Mrs. Dalloway, and
Michael Cunningham's novel. Reflects the inner lives and daily experiences
of three strong women. Strong support from Ed Harris, Stephen Dillane,
Claire Danes, Miranda Richardson and John C. Reilly. Very highest
recommendations. 2002 Academy Award nominations for best picture,
director, Kidman, Harris, Moore, adapted screenplay, original score
Philip Glass, costumes and editing. PG 13. Cinemark. Online archives.
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Magazine columnist Kate Hudson
and ad agency professional Matthew McConaughey try to get the other
to fall in love, but things go awry. High-energy romantic comedy.
PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Jungle Book 2: Same song, second verse from Disney. Mowgli
now lives in the man village, but he misses his friends and runs away
to the jungle to find them. But he may be found first: by Shere Khan
the tiger, his old jungle pals, or his new family. Voices include
John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment and Phil Collins. G. Cinema World.
Cinemark.
Just Married: This honeymoon from hell is directed by Shawn
Levy and stars Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy and Christian Kane.
PG-13. Movies 12.
Kangaroo Jack: Taking mob money to Australia, two New York
doofuses loose it to a kangaroo. Stars Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Anderson,
Christopher Walken and Dyan Cannon. David McNally directs. PG. Cinemark.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Directed and re-imagined
by Peter Jackson, part two of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy continues.
New characters, a surprise return and great battles. Director Peter
Jackson's second masterpiece. Very highest recommendations. 2002 Academy
Award noms for best picture, art direction, sound, sound editing,
visual effects, film editing. PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding: It's about the 30-year old, unmarried
daughter (Nia Vardalos) in a passionate but demanding Greek NY family,
who meets the man she to marry (John Corbett), but he isn't Greek.
This sweet romantic comedy entertains. 2002 Academy Award nominations
for Vardalos' original screenplay. PG. Movies 12. Online archives.
Pianist, The: Winner of the Cannes Best Picture award, this
critically acclaimed film is based on the life of Wladyslaw Szpilman,
a Polish Jew, composer and pianist. When the Nazis invade, he finds
salvation in his art. Directed and produced by Roman Polanski and
starring Adrien Brody as Szpilman. Highest recommendations. 2002 Academy
Award noms include best picture, Polanski director, Brody, adapted
screenplay, cinematography, costumes, film editing. R. Bijou. Online
archives.
Pokemon 4Ever: What do you need to know? More of the same.
G. Movies 12.
Real Women Have Curves: This long-awaited, simple, strong
story is about the conflict between a strong-willed mother, Carmen
(Lupe Ontiveros), and her equally determined daughter, Ana (America
Ferrera). Ana is a Mexican-American teenager with a full figure and
a chance to get an education, while her mother wants her to stay and
work in the sweatshop. Directed by Patricia Cardoso. PG 13. Bijou.
Online archives.
Recruit, The: Al Pacino and Colm Ferrell star in
this story about the inner workings of the CIA. Also with Bridget
Moynahan, and directed by Roger Donaldson. PG 13. Cinemark.
Ring, The: Gore Verbinski finds a solid cast in Naomi Watts
(Mulholland Drive), Chris Cooper and Brian Cox for this remake
of Hideo Nakata's 1998 Japanese horror film. PG-13. Movies 12.
Shanghai Knights: Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson are
out to settle a score in Victorian London in this comedy directed
by David Dobkin. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World.
Star Trek: Nemesis: Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of
the Enterprise face an alien race, the Remans. Picard takes a diplomatic
mission to the Romulans, but a surprisingly personal nemesis appears,
and all is at stake. Stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent
Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis,
Ron Perlman, Tom Hardy. Dir. by Stuart Baird. PG-13. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Sweet Home Alabama: Andy Tennant directs the fabulous
Reese Witherspoon in this comedy about a hot fashion designer who
returns to the South to get a divorce from scruffy hubby #1 (Josh
Lucas) so she can marry rich Patrick Dempsey. PG-13. Movies 12.
Talk to Her: Pedro Almodóvar's film about two men who
take care of two comatose women — and the complicated inter-relationships
that develop — reaches beyond expectations to make it one of
the most interesting and resonant films of the year. Very highest
recommendations. 2002 Academy Award nominations for director Almodóvar,
original screenplay. R. Bijou. Online archives.
They, Wes Craven Presents: Nighttime terrors return in this
pseudo-psychological thriller starring Laura Regan, directed by Robert
Harmon. PG-13. Movies 12.
Twenty Fifth Hour: Spike Lee directs Edward Norton
as a man with only 24 hours before he's due in prison for the next
seven years. Also with Rosario Dawson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry
Pepper, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox. R. Highly recommended. LateNite
Bijou. Online archives.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458
| 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536
| Valley River Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073
|
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231
| Gateway Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 |
Gateway Mall
|