Review of Fences (2016) by Barney O — 17 Feb 2017

WHAT I LIKED: Well wow I didn't expect this; 'Fences' is actually one of my favourite movies of the year, and definitely worthy of best picture in my eyes. Yes watching this film was such a brilliant experience, simply because it was one of the most intimate and emotional cinema experiences I've had in years. I cried as much as I smiled and I was completely involved and invested in the story, which when you consider how little occurs and how little the story actually relates to me, is very impressive indeed.

Of course what keeps you there isn't the story; it's the characters, and seeing them tested in their simple journeys. You care about them so much because they feel like genuine people, and that's thanks to incredible performances from both Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, as well as a very strong script that thankfully stays true to its theatre-roots. Indeed many view that as a criticism, but for me the lack of any truly cinematic elements means the story rings more closely to the heart than it would otherwise. The result in the end is probably the most intimate and emotional film of the year, and one I'd recommend to anyone.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The cinematography is probably my only gripe, but I suppose it adds to the intimate realism in some respects.

VERDICT: Fences is an intimate, emotional and frankly brilliant movie that deserves more love than it's getting. Damn Viola and Denzel were good.