Movie Assignment: Antwone Fisher

“Psychmovies” Movie Assignment:
“Antwone Fisher”
For this movie assignment I decided to watch the movie “Antwone Fisher”. The movie is based on a true story about how Antwone, a young navy man, was forced to see a psychiatrist due to a fight he had with a crewmember. During the course of his treatment many things are discovered about his past. The psychiatrist named Jerome Davenport, a commander played by Denzel Washington, began the sessions by having a stern, but understanding appearance. Using his rank, his looks and his words, he portrays many different roles. During the first session, the atmosphere is a little tense and awkward. They both knew that he [Antwone] did not want to be there and was only there because he was forced to
He mentions to him that he makes his evaluation after 3 sessions. Resistance begins after this and continues for several sessions. Because the psychiatrist was trying to give an evaluation of Antwone, this movie gave an example of a counselor’s assessment rather than simply finding a diagnosis. On a side note, Dr. Davenport, as a psychiatrist on a navy base, would be used to this type of resistance, but watching him sit around patiently waiting for Antwone to say something was surprising for me. I would have expected him to take his not talking for the first 3 sessions as part of his evaluation and just send him on his way. Instead Dr. Davenport patiently waits, reads, eats, and watches until Antwone finally slips up by clearing his throat, which strikes up a conversation. During the first official session, Dr. Davenport waits for him to speak, as if taking on a person-centered approach and waiting for him to share. Antwone feels uncomfortable and asks if he [Davenport] is supposed to ask him questions. The response to this was not what I expected. I thought Dr. Davenport might come out with how he normally does his sessions, a schedule of things, or even a comment
For example, at one point, Dr. Davenport even mentioned to Antwone that he could delay his next appointment if he wants to continue talking. This small action has a huge impact on a person, especially Antwone. Once the 3 sessions were finished and Antwone was able to move on without being forced to see a psychiatrist. Dr. Davenport let Antwone know that if he wanted to, he could continue to see him out of his own free will. This would mean that the originally action-oriented counselor became an insight oriented one. By trying to go further rather than finishing the initial problem, a shift between the two occurred. Judging from the look Antwone gave the doctor, and by his feelings about the sessions initially, I assumed he would just move on, get into another fight, and maybe be forced to go again, or even just be discharged. I was surprised when he decided to go back. After he went back to see Dr. Davenport, the relationship grew even stronger, to the point that Antwone felt the urge to visit Dr. Davenport at his home, and even have Thanksgiving Dinner with him and his family. The relationship between both client and counselor