Review of Fences (2016) by Orlando O — 22 Mar 2017
Fences is a strong drama film that is based on an award winning play by August Wilson (also wrote the script). It is a powerful drama about Troy (Denzel Washington), who lives with his wife Rose (Viola Davis), and their son Cory (Jovan Adepo). Troy is stuck in the past about the hardship of choices and actions that he has experienced and is having difficulties accepting the choices that his son wants to make. Story takes place in the 1950s Pittsburgh. Troy is not an easy person for anyone to try to get along with, as his other son Lyons (Russel Hornsby) rejected the idea of getting a job that Troy insisted on helping him get, just so he can be a musician at a club. While his other son, Cory wants to play football. Which displeases Troy cause he believes playing sports is not going to get him anywhere in life and would rather him work at a job for living.
Fences is a film that does feel like it's a play. Small set pieces that only takes place at Troy's home, or down the streets of Pittsburgh. These characters are in these set pieces with long periods of conversations. Which it does not make it a terrible film. The script is slow moving but very strong when it comes to character dynamics for a drama storyteller.
The cast of Fences all did a phenomenal job in their roles. Denzel Washington is a great actor all around, playing a character that is stuck in his time of a man needing to work hard and be responsible. Viola Davis is a stunning actress and this has to be one of her best roles yet. The rest of the cast are unknown actors but have been in theatre playing the same characters like Mykelti Williamson, Russell Hornsby, and Stephen Henderson.
The direction was pretty impressive, sticking to old school filmmaking in handling a slow moving drama film. Small set pieces, minimum use of a music score, and soft editing. Washington did well in capturing great performances with every actor on film.
Overall, Fences is a good film with amazing performances in a slow moving drama film.
This review of Fences (2016) was written by Orlando O on 22 Mar 2017.
Fences has generally received positive reviews.
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