Metacritic reviews

A deceptively simple movie with a deeply felt message.

Washington brings it off with an unforced and well-earned emotional wallop, and whose strong hand, keen eye, sweet spirit and good taste are reflected in almost every scene.

The film offers an impressive melding of quietly radical images and ideas with, yes, an old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing holiday tearjerker.

There are a few occasions when Antwone Fisher crosses the line to become too syrupy -- For the most part, however, the production radiates emotional honesty.

But there's a vaguely self-congratulatory tone to the screenplay that's a bit off-putting.

Affecting but formulaic.

Should be remembered for a pair of performers -- Derek Luke and Viola Davis, whose cameo as the mother who abandoned him cuts through the sap like an acetylene torch.

Has warmth and integrity, but it lacks the urgency of a story that had to be told.

This is the brand of sentimentality that comes with a high concentration of saccharine and every taste of bitterness safely removed.

Washington directs with proficient blandness charged only occasionally by organic acting moments.