Review of Fences (2016) by Jayce Z — 09 Jul 2017
Oh my god. SO... MUCH... TALKING. If I never hear Denzel speak another word, it will be too soon. The man drones on endlessly and without pause for this entire movie, it's exhausting. This movie is an adaptation of a stage play.
.. and I use the word 'adaptation' loosely. This is easily the worst stage-to-film adaptation I have ever seen. Denzel may as well have just set up a camera in the back of the theater and filmed the stage version.
He did nothing to take advantage of the nearly limitless capability of film or stretch the story beyond the confines of the stage... and nothing to edit any of the unnecessary, stilted, rambling dialogue.
It is literally an hour and 20 minutes in before something actually happens. Add to that the fact that the protagonist is a wholly despicable character, it's just an altogether unpleasant viewing experience.
I'm sorry, but Denzel's performance is not good at all - watching him, all I see is a man who is acting, not the character. Viola Davis is wonderful (as always), but even she cannot redeem this movie.
It's totally lacking in originality, devoid of levity, and too heavy by half. This is the worst rating I have ever given an Oscar nominated film.
This review of Fences (2016) was written by Jayce Z on 09 Jul 2017.
Fences has generally received positive reviews.
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