Review of Good Fences (2003) by Joshua L — 27 Mar 2009

Good Fences is a movie about a family (comprised of Danny Glover and Whoopi Goldberg) is endure life in a very upper-class neighborhood amidst an abundant amount of white people, many of whom not caring for their new neighbors.

The sharp social commentary within this film, not to mention the nice direction from Ernest Dickerson (Demon Knight, Surviving The Game) really work to create a darkly humorous film that doesn't beat racism and white hatred into the ground like many black films.

Glover's character specifically is so important but manages to stay subtle since the movie focuses on Goldberg's character so much, however, both of them struggle a great deal in their new surroundings.

Glover's character is so interesting because he strives so hard for the career he wants (having been inspired by a near fatal accident involving racism) that he's willing to forget his roots and get to the top by overwhelming his white peers by jumping hoops for them, ultimately becoming a self-hating black.

Goldberg's character is charming and handles her disdain in a similar way to the white women amongst her neighborhood by becoming addicted to booze and pills. Their children also provide interesting points in the storyline by having been raised in such a white surrounding that both drift in opposite directions of self-discovery.

Honestly, this is a fantastic movie that doesn't have to be other black comedies where characters jump through hoops and dress up as fat black women just to appease audiences. This entertains in a whole other different way.

Excellent movie.