by Michael Hubbard BBC News Online

Washington also has an acting role in the film

Denzel Washington gets behind the camera for the first time with a director's credit on real-life film Antwone Fisher.

Denzel Washington's star is on the ascendant. A Best Actor Oscar in 2002 - his second - has been followed swiftly by his directorial debut.

Antwone Fisher tells the story of US marine Fisher (Derek Luke), who finds himself in trouble with the navy as his explosive attitude repeatedly gets the better of him.

He is sent to naval psychiatrist Jerome Davenport (Denzel Washington) and begins to discover why his childhood experiences are still affecting him, to his detriment.

When an understanding woman (Joy Bryant) finds him and accepts him for who he is, it is time for him to do likewise.

But is he emotionally ready to discover who he is and to let himself be loved?

The film is at once a competent yet clich�d affair. Washington draws gripping performances from all of his first-time stars - and himself - and lays claim to the moniker of being an "actor's director".

Bryant (right) is impressive as Fisher's support

Luke impressively fills the screen with presence, and Washington's sage-like portrayal of the psychiatrist/surrogate father is the perfect foil, if a little too close to territory already better covered by Good Will Hunting.

Ex-model Bryant, too, handles a sensitive role with care and consistency, and holds the camera's attention whenever she appears.

The military scenery of the Pacific Fleet's ships and bases does all that it should in providing impressive backdrops, and the film shies away from using the hardware to create unnecessary action scenes, preferring instead to give the actors centre stage.

Yet although based on Fisher's own self-penned and true story, neither the subject matter nor the structure is terribly original. And the leisurely pace occasionally drags too much.

The trouble, however, is less with Washington's direction than with the self-indulgent story he has decided to bring to the silver screen.

But strangely, as an over-emotive soundtrack and clich� after clich� threaten to overwhelm, it is more than possible to get into the film despite your reservations.

Ultimately, it is a human story involving real people - at least, as real as people are ever portrayed in Hollywood. This is why it is worth a look.

So if you are in the mood for a gritty, if sentimental evening at the flicks, Antwone Fisher could be for you. Take with you some tissues, and someone to hug.