First-time director Denzel Washington brings a sincere, sympathetic touch to this tough story about a scarred, inner-city orphan (newcomer Derek Luke, showing
real talent) struggling to put his painful past behind him after joining the Navy. The fact that this is the first screenplay from Antwone Fisher, who based the movie on his own life,
makes the film a triumphant, three-way debut for him, Luke and Washington.
