Fences

 

Fences 2016

• Director: Denzel Washington
• Seen by this director: The Great Debaters, Antwone Fisher
• Based on the novel: no, but the play by August Wilson
• Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Denzel Washinton – The Book of Eli, Philadelphia, The Great Debaters, Antwone Fisher, The Siege, Devil in a Blue Dress, The Pelican File, Much Ado about Nothing, Malcolm X, Mississippi Masala, Mo’ Better Blues
• Viola Davis – Widows, Ender’s Game, Beautiful Creatures, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Help, Solaris, Antwone Fisher, Far from Heaven, Kate & Leopold
• Stephen McKinley Henderson – Manchester by the Sea, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• Mykelti Williamson – Forrest Gump, Miracle Mile, Hill Street Blues
• Why? The cast
• Seen: 3 October 2020      

       Troy (Washington) is in his 50’s, bitter over racism and the rough life he’s had. He’s a tyrant to his sons, humiliating them repeatedly and withholding even the slightest sign of affection or love. His wife Rose (Davis) tries to soften his rigidity. He repeatedly tells her how much he loves her but is having an affair with another woman.

       It’s a very talky film and it’s clear that it’s based on a stage production, which doesn’t usually bother me. Here it does and the first half of the film, frankly, is boring.

       The second half is more dramatic. Washington gives a solid performance as the damaged, egocentric, unreasonable and unlikeable boor. Davis is magnificent as a woman who realises that she has made mistakes but stands up for them until dignity demands a change.

       Sadly, I just don’t like the film much because I really don’t like the character Troy, and the ending is too sugary for such a realistic film.

 3* of 5 (Hal says 4*.)