Fences
Composite Score: 83.83
Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sidney
Director: Denzel Washington
Writer: August Wilson
Genres: Drama, History
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, language, and some suggestive references
Box Office: $64.41 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Fences is the 2016 film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer and Tony-winning play of the same name about the fictional Maxson family of Pittsburgh in the 1950s. Director Denzel Washington also stars in the film’s leading role, Troy, joined by Viola Davis as Rose, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Jim Bono, Jovan Adepo as Cory, Russell Hornsby as Lyons, and Mykelti Williamson as Gabriel – most of them reprising critically acclaimed roles from the 2010 revival of the play. The film received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Lead Actor for Washington along with an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress for Davis. Along with its excellent writing and acting, the film has been celebrated for the powerful message of the story it tells and its faithfulness to Wilson’s original work – one of Washington’s biggest goals as the film’s director.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
There are points in Fences when you are reminded that it is a film adaptation of a play – a physically confined medium. There are no real flaws in the writing, but its on-screen execution leaves something of the cinematic experience to be desired in some moments. The rare location shifts and visual effects that do occur over the course of the film rarely do anything to bolster Wilson’s excellent script and, at times, detract from the weight and impact of the work. Particularly, the visual effects attempting to capture what I assume to be lighting cues toward the end of the film feel almost too Hallmark-y to fit in with the rest of the excellently shot film. I’m also 70% certain that they CGI’ed a baby into Denzel Washington’s arms at one point, which isn’t as distracting as some fake babies are, but it did take me out of what should be one of the film’s more climactic moments.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
Plain and simple, this is one of the most well-acted and well-written films of the 21st century so far. Davis, Washington, Henderson, and Williamson in particular give some of the best performances of their careers in this film. Viola Davis won the “O” of her EGOT for this film, cementing the role of Rose Maxson in the annals of iconic female roles in film. Her emotional range, commitment to the character, and captivating delivery of Wilson’s dialogue have made the performance one of the most memorable in recent history. Denzel Washington again showcases his ability to embody well-written characters and make himself into the person that they need to be in his role as Troy. The combination of fragility, overconfidence, and sheer charisma that he brings to the character make it truly one of the most realistically flawed protagonists that I have ever watched. Stephen McKinley Henderson (who you might know better from his roles in Lady Bird or Dune) extends his acting chops beyond the usual character work that he is known for into the deeper role of Troy’s older friend Jim Bono. The subtleties of his performance and the care that he is able to exhibit for the other actors sharing the screen with him make his performance incredibly memorable. Mykelti Williamson rounds the whole cast out with his performance as Troy’s mentally handicapped brother Gabriel who serves as the spiritual center of the story with his otherworldly connections to the afterlife that he claims to have picked up when he “died” from the wound he received fighting in World War II. The character is far richer than such archetypal figures usually have the opportunity to be – a testament again to Wilson’s stellar writing – and Williamson steps into the role with ease, never feeling out of place or insensitive in the role and lending Gabe a genuine depth and wisdom that allow him to be the character he was designed to be.
August Wilson created a truly moving piece of literature with his play Fences, and Denzel Washington’s direction and the performances of the film’s featured actors do a quality job of capturing that work on the screen, achieving a deserved place among the Greatest Films of All Time. Its occasional attempts at giving the film a more cinematic feel don’t always work out perfectly, but the overall spirit of the play is kept solidly intact, and you’re sure to be moved by the film’s end. It is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video or on Paramount+ for anyone looking to give it a watch.