Review of Fences (2016) by Jonathan D — 29 Jan 2017

It is great to see Washington free to show his acting chops in a character intensive piece, in ways he can't fully do in more genre oriented material written for the screen. I saw Fences on stage with James Earl Jones about 25 years ago. Back then, I found it interesting but unfocused. Now, with the changes in my own life - frustrations with my own career, and appreciation for the things I want for my own child, now being a parent, made the challenges of the main character more powerful for me. Troy is both a hero and an anti-hero, and the two contradictory aspects of his character are inseparable - that's what makes this piece get under your skin.

This was lightly adapted from stage - which is a good thing. Original playwright August Wilson adapted his piece for the screen, so the poet's dialog and dramatic rhythms remain intact to be shared with a wider audience. OTOH, you need to go in with the right expectations - knowing that you have to give the piece room to breathe, to rely on the natural pace of the dialog without intense visuals and cutting to let the story happen. Although it almost all takes place in one man's back yard, a lot really does happen.

Washington really directed this for television - whether consciously or not. He relies so heavily on close ups, it becomes burdensome at times to watch it on the big screen. Dude - I know you want to highlight the acting, but if we can see it on the stage, we don't need to see characters' faces take up all the area from ceiling to floor! Trust the viewer!