Review of Fences (2016) by Rebecca31 — 21 Feb 2017

Fences is adapted from a play and there lies the problem. At no point does this film actually feel like a film. It feels like you’re watching a play on the big screen. A very, very long play. I’m sure on stage this is a very interesting and moving story but in the cinema not so much. If you’re going to adapt a play into a film then you better make it feel like a film. The one location setting and severe lack of music was a mistake. Watching Denzel Washington was like being trapped inside the mind of a rambling drunk man spending the majority of the film ranting and raving about how terrible his life is, aw hell naw my son ain’t playin’ no football and I better get out back and build me this fence. I had no sympathy towards his character at all therefore I really didn’t care about him or his problems. As the story progresses all I did was hate him more. It’s exhausting just to listen to him for 2 hours 20 minutes. Perhaps the only redeeming factor was Viola Davis who stole the show and gave an emotional performance. Unlike angry Washington I did actually care about her character.

Very disappointing and with the superb cast this should have been much better. I’m not recommending this film but if you enjoy Oscar bait then by all means give this one a try.