Denzel Washington, in his debut as a director, delivers a solid piece of craftsmanship: the true story of Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke), a young sailor who is sent to Navy psychiatrist Jerome Davenport (Washington) to work out anger issues stemming from his abusive childhood. Newcomer Luke cuts to the heart as Antwone, Joy Bryant shines as his girlfriend, and Novella Nelson is scarily good as the foster parent who raised Antwone when his mother abandoned him.

The uniformly fine performances are a tribute to Washington, who plays the shrink with his customary command. But the parallel plot about the doc's problems with his wife (Salli Richardson) weakens the script that Fisher (a former security guard for Sony Pictures) has adapted from his autobiography. Still, the emotional payoff is undeniable.

Critics have already compared the film to A Beautiful Mind, sparking Oscar talk that unfairly raises expectations. Antwone Fisher is best when it sticks to home truths instead of the Hollywood version. The bloat of hype does this becomingly small film no favors.

“The A Team”

This debut track from the then-20-year-old British singer-songwriter has a dark story behind it. Sheeran says he culls songwriting inspiration from "viewing other people's situations," which, for the heroine in "The A Team," involves drug addiction and prostitution that began as a teen. Sheeran paints the woman's trials with haunting imagery such as "But lately her face seems/Slowly sinking, wasting/Crumbling like pastries." "I did a gig at a homeless shelter, [and the song] is about one of the women there. It's her story," he said.