Chattin’ With The Common Guy
By Paul Hall
His first reason for telling the story was simply because he had the opportunity to do so; but as he started writing the screenplay it became “cathartic” for him. Antwone Fisher could’ve had more money during the process of getting his story to the screen. All he needed to do was turn the story over to some established Hollywood writer to handle. He passed on the huge payday and decided to write this screenplay himself, a big indication of just how important this story is to him. He recalls “I didn’t know anybody who was a writer that I felt like I could trust.” He felt that “if there was an opportunity to do it, that I wanted to be the one.” Many drafts later a final version was created that became the film you see today. Fisher recalls that during the writing process “you start remembering things” and he learned the screenwriting process with each new draft that was submitted. He does a marvelous job of taking his own life and creating the screenplay that was the makeup for Denzel Washington’s directorial debut.
Once it was time to put Antwone Fisher’s screenplay into motion, he found himself back in Cleveland, reliving some of the most painful moments of his story. Antwone relates “I love Cleveland and it was great being back in Cleveland.” Watching the scenes to be filmed in Cleveland, however, brought up other feelings. “The only parts I didn’t want to watch were the Malcom Kelly scenes, he’s a great actor but I felt like I could watch that another time,” Fisher exclaimed. And who could blame him. Malcolm Kelly’s scenes of a young Fisher dealt with some of the most difficult aspects of his childhood.
While the production was in Cleveland, Denzel Washington was intent on leaving the community in which he was filming a better place then it was before he got there. Antwone appreciated these efforts. It made him feel “great” that they were able to enhance the community that still held a number of childhood friends. “A lot of my childhood friends are in the movie, some of my family members that I found are in the movie, it’s really satisfying.”
Antwone’s reaction to seeing the finished product was simple; “I love the movie, it’s overwhelming.” Of course he wasn’t totally surprised with the film turned out. Fisher not only wrote the film; he was involved with the entire process. Washington’s attitude during filming was that they were doing this for Antwone and it showed. Antwone expressed his affection for Denzel by saying, “I give Denzel the credit for how the movie turned out.” He especially mentioned the way that he was able to work with young actors like Derek Luke, Joy Bryant and Malcolm Kelly and get great performances out of them. This film definitely “wouldn’t be as good as it is if you didn’t have the master thespian running the show.”
So the film is done, and the press is hopefully almost done. I got the chance to talk to Fisher at the end of an extended press tour and you could tell he was a bit tired, but who could blame him. He has a lovely family that understands that what he’s doing now will benefit his family in multiple ways as the future progresses. Fisher is taking some time to himself and his family now before jumping back into the fray and he has earned it. He has shared a piece of his life with us and for that we can all be thankful.
As I said when we ended our brief conversation, thank you Antwone, for sharing your inspirational story with us all. It is a film that I hope finds a wide audience.
© 2003 Paul Hall, All Rights Reserved
Take 2 -- Extra Facts from the Antwone Fisher interview.
Some of the nicest guys dealt with on the Sony lot while he was a security guard were Danny DeVito and Sidney Poitier.
Books available by Antwone Fisher: Finding Fish (memoirs of Antwone Fisher – life of Antwone published after the screenplay was written), Who Will Cry For The Little Boy (book of poetry – featuring the poem from the film and many others).
Favorite Movie Food: Skinny Cow (Ice Cream Sandwiches)
What people don’t ask about: Very interested in 60s and 70s soul music.
Words to those who think they have it rough: “Can’t stand around complaining about things that have happened to you. Sometimes it is better to reserve all that for one person like a professional…somebody who won’t go tell someone else…sometimes when you do talk about things some people might not feel comfortable around you so they prevent you from being able to succeed.”
© 2003 Paul Hall, All Rights Reserved
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