In his directorial debut, Denzel Washington takes firm command of this story, based on writer Antwone Fisher's autobiographical account of a man's fight to come to terms with his painful past and emerge unscathed into adulthood. Emotional, without being overly sentimental, it is a good adult drama that will get people teary-eyed.

Fisher (Derek Luke) is a recruit on a Navy ship docked in San Diego. He's taciturn and easily-provoked, and after one fight he's sent to the base psychiatrist, Dr. Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington). At first, he defiantly dodges all questions about his life and feelings, but gradually he's able to trust Davenport enough to divulge the darkest and most painful secrets about his terribly deprived childhood spent abandoned by his mother in an orphanage and an abusive foster home. This helps him gain the confidence to enter into a relationship with the beautiful Cheryl (Joy Bryant).

All goes well until Davenport realizes Fisher is becoming a little too dependent, and he recommends that for more permanent release from his demons he search out his family and confront his past.

Washington, both in his performance and directing, keeps the story clear and focussed. He and newcomer actor Luke have a great rapport, while Luke and fellow newcomer Bryant show a tender chemistry.

In an interesting rags-to-riches sidestory, just as the real Antwone Fisher was discovered as a screenwriter while working as a security guard at Sony Studios, Luke was discovered for this role while working at the Sony Studios gift shop. The supporting cast are very good.

Although at times a little too talky and the scenes showing the uncommunicative relationship between Davenport and his wife are somewhat of a weak point, the film is on the whole a series of strong emotional moments. That said, we don't wallow too deep in mood, as there are many cleverly interspersed moments of happiness and laughter. This is a film which knows that good films are meant to move us, but doesn't cynically tug on our heartstrings.