Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Antwone Fisher Adoption Movie Review
I watched Antwone Fisher early in my career as a foster care
social worker. Several years later, I watched it again for this review. The
film is less negative, but more potentially traumatizing, than I remembered. Fisher
is a young man serving in the Navy. He grew up in foster care; much of his life
was in an abusive foster home. After he aged out, he experienced homelessness.
After his best friend was killed, Antwone joined the Navy. While there, he is
often in trouble for engaging in fist fights. One of the fights results in him
being seen by Dr. Davenport, a Navy psychiatrist. Davenport helps Antwone
revisit his past. Antwone seeks reunification with his birth family in an
effort to learn why they never knew him.
How is This Relevant to Adoption?
Antwone was born while his mother was incarcerated. Two
months after his birth, he was placed in a foster home. Although the social
workers anticipated Antwone returning to his mother, she never came to claim
him. Antwone’s father was killed shortly before Antwone’s birth. Antwone grew
up not even knowing his father’s last name. Antwone survived considerable abuse
in his foster home. As a young adult, he decides to search for his birth
family, and finds them. His mother is unable to receive him; she cries silently
while he leaves. His father’s family embraces him wholeheartedly; his reunion
with them comes straight out of his dreams.
Strong Points
Antwone
has a positive relationship with his psychiatrist, who challenges him to face
his own past.
Davenport
encourages responsibility but not blame, “What they did was wrong. You’ve got
the right to be angry , but you’ve got to use that energy to better (and not
worsen) yourself.”
Antwone
asks, honestly, “Is it possible for somebody who’s had problems all their life
not to stay that way.” His question is inspired by his desire not to be abusive
in the romantic relationship he hopes to establish. Davenport gives Antwone
hope, and Antwone is able to function successfully in the relationship.
Antwone
writes and recites a powerful poem, “Who will cry for the little boy.”
Antwone
is able to find love. His girlfriend joins him in his search for his family.
The
scenes of Antwone’s reunification with his paternal family are very touching.
He is embraced by multiple generations of his family. Like Angela Tucker –
Antwone Fisher found Closure.
Challenges
The
movie has lots of scenes that could traumatize younger viewers or viewers who
have experienced violence. We see two significant men in Antwone’s life die
from gunfire. As a young child, Antwone is bound and beaten into
unconsciousness by his foster mother; on another occasion she threatens him
with fire. We also hear Antwone being sexually abused by another adult in his
foster home. The foster mother robs Antwone. She is very verbally abusive,
calling Antwone racial slurs, and saying that his “no good momma threw you
away.” While these experiences are not fictional, they are not representative of
most foster homes. They could be triggering, traumatic, or confusing for some
viewers. Antwone does eventually confront his former foster mother, and tells
her, “You couldn’t destroy me. I’m still standing. I’m still strong. And I
always will be.”
When
Antwone finds his mother, she acknowledges that he is her son, but is unable to
respond when he asks, “Why’d you never come for me?” He finishes by telling
her, “I’m a good man.” Antwone ultimately decides, “In my heart, I forgive her,
but I don’t need to see her again.”
Recommendation
Antwone
Fisher is a thought-provoking film. Some of its scenes are hard to see in the
same way that Piece of Cake is hard
to read – they’re graphic depictions of violence against kids in foster care. I’d
recommend it for adults considering foster care. As you watch about it, think
about fostering a teen. First parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees may watch
it and consider what reunification would mean for them. Also, think about
seeing the documentary, Closure, which offers a real-life glimpse into the
search for birthparents.
Questions for Discussion after the movie
What
internal thoughts and past experiences do you see evidenced in your kids’
behaviors? In your own?
Did
Antwone need to find his birth family to move forward in life?
How
important are roots?
How
important is the impact of professionals
in the life of a child?
If
you’re considering fostering or fostering-to-adopt… What age group are you
considering? What about a teen?
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Whether you go to theatres for watching movies, or you watch them at home with the family, in both ways movies are great tool of relaxation.
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