Fences

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences () Denzel Washington at an event for Fences () Viola Davis at an event for Fences () Viola Davis.
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The two lead performances are stunningly complex and deeply human achievements from two of the finest actors working today. It's not cinematic enough to make you forget you're watching something conceived for another, more spatially constricted medium, but it's too cinematic to capture the intensity, the concentration, of a great theatrical event. Simple yet passionate adaptation of August Wilson's masterpiece that is respectful to its source material providing incredible performances and great dialogue throughout. Often overpowered by Washington's forceful turn, Fences struggles with a bad case of thematic redundancy The film also fails to define a cinematic rhythm separate from Wilson's doozy of a script.

Wilson's dialogue is superlative -- soulful, authentic and timely and almost musical, sharing a cadence that's part of most urban cities. Under Washington's direction and Christensen's cinematography, there is no wasted moment, no empty frame. In Rose [Viola Davis], Fences reveals so beautifully and effectively the quiet power of cinema.

On a stage, dialogue as symbol can work. Movies require something more natural for audiences to lose themselves in -- something Fences doesn't manage. What really elevates Fences is the acting. This is a richly written ensemble pieces that heavily relies on powerful performances. Denzel and Viola are reprising their roles from the Broadway revival.

Denzel is extremely good and Viola is extraordinary. A woman so fully formed that I was even more drawn to trying to understand this individual. It may be Troy's story in that every part exists to reflect his personality. However, I found myself sympathizing with her plight a lot more than her husband's.

She seizes attention whenever she is on screen. The studio may have marketed her achievement as a supporting role to secure an Oscar nomination and possible win , but she is no doubt equally important in this context. It's her authentic portrayal, as well as the subdued work of Stephen McKinley Henderson as Troy's friend Jim, that I will remember long after having seen the film.

Like a long filmed play, Fences at least relies on some outstanding performances that compensate for the film's lack of visual inventiveness. Full review on filmotrope. Had I seen the stage version I may have enjoyed this script.

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However, it's move to the big screen is one which didn't work for me. Instead of enjoying this masterpiece, you're trying to climb the 'Fences' to escape it's clutches. From A Streetcar Named Desire to Les Miserables, bringing a stage play to life on the big screen is a very hit-or-miss genre to tackle. Never having seen the play Fences, nor even hearing about it until upon the film's release, I had little to no expectations when going into this film. Take an adaptation like Les Miserables for example.

Yes, of course it had the staged feel to it, but it was not afraid to change locations on a whim. With this film adaptation of the play Fences, it very much feels like a big-budgeted play, playing out scene for scene on on the big screen. Does Denzel Washington direct this film well? Do his and Viola Davis' performances hold the film together? Here are my thoughts on Fences. This is as simple as you can get. Having said that, this film makes up for that with an incredible amount of dialogue throughout its entire duration.

PEDELTY BOX: It's time to swing for the fences, Cubs

Fences follows Troy Washington as he works, spends time with his family and friends, and spews out stories about his past, slowly giving insight as to what the outcome of the film may have in store for the viewers who have no prior knowledge of the play. That is really all that can be described about this film without getting into spoilers. This is a life story that takes its time with explaining everything in detail. A film like this can't be made this well without a talented cast though.

Fences may or may not grab the attention as far as top film of the year goes, but Denzel Washington and Viola Davis absolutely need to be commended for their commitment to these characters. Washington evaporates into the persona of Troy and Davis into her persona of Rose, his wife.

I just need $10 - Fences movie clip

The way they play off each other almost feels like the cameras are rolling on a real married couple. The smile, laugh, get angry, and fight at every single perfect moment. Due to their devotion, there isn't much to pick apart when watching this film. Fences ends up being a great film solely for these reasons alone.

There truly is nothing wrong with this film, but I have a few personal issues. Imagine a film directed by Quentin Tarantino, where the characters share a minute scene where there is nothing but talking, stretch that into a minute feature film, but strip away the cursing, blood and guts, or any shocking moments.

Yes, that is exactly what Fences feels like, but it is a slice of life that many people can enjoy if they are aware of this going into it. It's a series of scenes that lead into one another with ease, making you feel like you are actually watching the play. That may or may not be an acceptable film experience for some, and although it works for me, it does make it seem like less of a motion picture. Overall, Fences may not be able to attract a broad audience, due to its very specific style of storytelling, but it's without a doubt a very well-made picture.

It is very rare to see a film told this way, so for that alone I have to give credit where credit is due. With such incredibly powerful performances, direction that is worth noting by Denzel Washington, and a story that is worth sitting through at least once if you have yet to explore any form of it, Fences definitely gets a recommendation from my book. I can't say that I quite loved this film, but I do see many instances where some people might.

This is a very well-told and emotionally striking drama that you should check out. Months later, Alberta dies in childbirth. Troy angrily challenges the Reaper to another fight. Troy brings his baby daughter Raynell home, and Rose agrees to raise her as her own, but refuses to accept Troy back into her life. Cory is considering enlisting in the United States Marine Corps , having missed his opportunity to attend college.

One day, when he returns home, an intoxicated Troy blocks his path and instigates a fight in which Cory swings at Troy with a baseball bat. Troy grabs the bat from Cory and drives him out of the house. Disoriented, Troy once again challenges the Reaper to come for him. Six years later, Troy has died of a heart attack, and Cory, now a USMC corporal , returns home, but informs Rose he will not attend the funeral.

Fence - Wikipedia

Rose admits to loving Troy despite his many flaws and pleads that Troy is still a part of him, and Cory later reconsiders after interacting with Raynell. Lyons is serving three years in prison for fraud, and gets furlough to attend the funeral. Similarly, Gabriel is released from the hospital to attend and reunites with his family as they all bid farewell to Troy. Gabriel prays for St. Peter to open the gates of heaven for Troy, and the sun glistens over them.


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The film was adapted from August Wilson 's play Fences. Production culminated in the release of the film, over a decade after Wilson's death. Previous attempts to adapt Fences for the screen had been fruitless, partly due to Wilson's insistence on an African-American director. On January 28, , it was reported that Rudin, Washington and Todd Black would produce a film adaptation of the play, directed by Washington and starring Washington and Viola Davis , reprising their roles from the revival that earned both actors Tony Awards.

Black explained that Washington insisted that they remain faithful to Wilson's work, saying, "The star of the movie is the screenplay and August Wilson's words. What Denzel said to me, to Scott, to all the actors, the cinematographer, and the production designer was, 'Don't make any decision without August Wilson's words leading you to make that decision. That's what we all had to abide by. On April 25, , it was reported that Fences had begun filming in Pittsburgh. The site's critical consensus reads, "From its reunited Broadway stars to its screenplay, the solidly crafted Fences finds its Pulitzer-winning source material fundamentally unchanged — and still just as powerful.

Ty Burr of the Boston Globe wrote, "You don't get groundbreaking cinema from Fences , but what you do get — two titanic performances and an immeasurable American drama — makes up for that. In a negative review, David Edelstein of New York wrote, "It's not cinematic enough to make you forget you're watching something conceived for another, more spatially constricted medium, but it's too cinematic to capture the intensity, the concentration, of a great theatrical event. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Fences Theatrical release poster. List of accolades received by Fences film. Retrieved November 22, Retrieved April 2, Retrieved December 27, Retrieved December 8, The Complete List of Nominations". Retrieved December 12, Retrieved April 25, Retrieved August 18, Retrieved February 14, Retrieved August 10, Retrieved September 15, Retrieved October 7, Cohen August 9, I am so proud to be a part of it.

SaveTheDate, this is the film to see this Christmas! Retrieved October 4, Retrieved 13 October Retrieved December 30,


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  • Fences () - IMDb.