Review of Fences (2016) by Jeje W — 08 Feb 2017
Fences is one the most tightly delivered and memorable dramas in recent memory. It's a film with a pulse to be sure, and is designed to entrap the audience in an uncomfortable family drama amid the slow changes for African-Americans in the aftermath of postwar America.
As this film is an adaptation of a famous August Wilson play the result is rather theatrical with a three-act structure and the entire movie being confined to 2 1/2 sets. Denzel Washington stars in and directs Fences with causal ease and skill.
His character is a charismatic but miserable and unlikeable trash collector who resents the world that stunted his dreams and takes it out on the family around him. Viola Davis is his long-suffering wife and is arguably the soul of the movie, while newcomer Jovan Adepo holds his own as the son and the true protagonist of the film.
Washington and Davis had previously performed these same roles on Broadway years ago, and won Tonys for their trouble, so there is a sense of familiarity that helps these actors convey them as real, living breathing people.
It hits hard and leaves its mark. Like Manchester by the Sea it shows how lives often end unfulfilled while rest of us make do with whatever's left. It's quite heavy but quite brilliant.
This review of Fences (2016) was written by Jeje W on 08 Feb 2017.
Fences has generally received positive reviews.
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