several years ago navy kept studied distance away making men honor film based experiences services first black master chief divers struggle overcome virulent racism ever eager support films showing navys best side uss nimitz two helicopter assault carriers supporting shore installations provided complement engrossing tale young sailors battle uncontrollable rage movie shot aboard uss belleau woodbr br antwone fisher wrote script denzel washingtons directors debut stars navy psychiatrist treating fisher played effectively deeply derek lukebr br fisher obviously bright enlisted man assigned uss belleau wood lha front line helicopter assault platform fisher cant seem avoid launching assaults minimal provocation fellow enlisted men sent md part possible preseparation proceeding fisher slowly opens black psychiatrist revealing awful childhood great neglect shuddering brutalitybr br the story develops fisher cautiously increasingly trusts doctor gets courage pursue love interest enlisted sailor named cheryl played stunningly beautiful joy bryantbr br fisher reluctantly engages doctor asking long simmering questions soon realizes must seek answers however painful order grow move away conflictseeking destructive behaviorbr br while main characters black story transcends race unflinchingly showing evil exuberant religiosity concomitant hypocrisy foster family settings viola davis versatile actress seen number recent films picture sullen immorality nothing compared foster mom mrs tate novella nelson short searing scenes would earn  existed  oscar gutchurning brutalitybr br films patienttherapist interaction follow certain predictability all transference countertransference stuff earnestness fisher doctormentor realistically gripping good story well told periodbr br while set navy antwone fisher real sense service story men honor excellent movie dealt crushing racism directed real person truly film blacks surviving terrible childhood experiences and fisher says able proclaim adulthood victim still standing tall persecutors shrink size significance brave strong young man claims right decent life aid caring doctorbr br my quibble washington lieutenant commander addressed commander navy support people listed end credits someone told director washington character like naval officers rank commander addressed mister big criticism it br br i know film playing theaters deserves wide distribution derek luke may well get oscar nominationbr br br br 