Movie Review | FENCES ft. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Friday 23 December, 2016
I am going to do a movie review for the upcoming film Fences, which is already receiving 2017 Oscar award nominations. Starring powerhouse actors Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, this movie which was adapted from a stageplay is a story of love, family and deep hurt and frustration. Please read more below about the film and see why it’s been nominated for an Academy Award.
Synopsis: Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son’s (Jovan Adepo) chance to meet a college football recruiter. This film is based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play from 1983 of the same name.
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My opinion: Fences was breathtaking. I never saw or read the stage play but man what a message and a story. I will be honest, since the film is set in the 50s, I am think oh gosh another story about a black family or person trying to survive the civil rights era. Something along the lines of fighting racism and segregation. You will be happy to know this is not what this story is about at all and I appreciate it. I think we understand the narrative of the history and the pain that went on pre-civil rights acts for African Americans, but rarely do we see movies and stories of that era of other issues.
The story is really about a family man fighting his own struggles and its bleeding into his family dynamic. He has a wonderful supportive wife that has been with him through thick and thin, and two sons with their own personal issues with their father. The oldest son is always coming around for “money” and the young son is trying to play sports but the father does not approve. There are heavy themes of baseballs in the film as Denzel Washington’s character was an aspiring baseball star, but never made it into the pros and became a standard garbage man. His son is following in his footsteps, and of course is coming through with his own opinions on why he shouldn’t.
It’s deeper than baseball…it really show the depth of what goes inside of a family who looks good on the outside, but on the inside its broken like many real life situations. It has really nothing to do with a black man struggles, this could be any family background struggle. It exposes a lot of hard truth, some things unfold in this movie that is truly shocking and even karma-tic. Again this movie is refreshing, based off of the 1983 stage of Fences, it really tells an untold story of what a family man goes through and how it effects his family and friends. Eye opening film and I would highly recommend you watch Fences if you are a family person and love a thrilling storyline. Denzel Washington never disappoints and Viola Davis also did an amazing job in her role.
This film has been Oscars nominated already for 2017 and buzzing for Best Picture of The Year. Lets hope they win a few Oscars for it!
FENCES debuts in theaters Christmas Day!
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I have been a fan of August Wilson plays for awhile and am so excited that one is being brought to the big screen. The fact that there are so many power house talented actors in the film makes it that much more attractive. Kudos to a great review.
I can’t wait to see this movie. I wanted to see it with Babe so I didn’t view the screening. Denzel & Viola are incredible actors so I know it’s moving.
I had the honor of interviewing Denzel at the D.C. stop.
I’ve seen a couple of post about this movie and I cant wait to see it! Glad you gave a breakdown of what its really about!!! Denzel and Viola…ohhh I cant wait!!!
I remember the play and the playwright. I need to download it on Kindle so I can immerse myself in the details before going to see it with my family. What was your favorite part?
I am excited to see this move but there is nothing wrong with movies on race, civil right movement and segregation. If the past is not be out there, we will repeat it in our ignorance.
I live in Pittsburgh so I am really excited to see this one and how it all came together. It is also awesome that it is already getting nominated for awards!
This movie is literally everything right now. I loved it. Denzel and Viola were amazing as I knew they would be. I’m always a bit iffy when stage plays become movies, but they did this one its due.
I haven’t seen this movie yet, but after reading your review, it’s definitely going on my list. It will be interesting to see if it wins any awards in 2017!
I am a big fan of both of these actors so have been wanting to see this! After reading your review I am more convinced I need to get a date night soon so I can see it.
This sounds like a great film, and something I would really like to watch. Thanks for your review, I like to read reviews before going to the cinema myself, so thanks for sharing!
OMG thanks so much for sharing this. I can not wait to see this movie. I was thinking about going to see it on NYE! I am so excited about all the movies that are out right now.
I have been a fan of August Wilson plays for awhile and am so excited that one is being brought to the big screen. The fact that there are so many power house talented actors in the film makes it that much more attractive. Kudos to a great review.
I can’t wait to see this movie. I wanted to see it with Babe so I didn’t view the screening. Denzel & Viola are incredible actors so I know it’s moving.
I had the honor of interviewing Denzel at the D.C. stop.
I’ve seen a couple of post about this movie and I cant wait to see it! Glad you gave a breakdown of what its really about!!! Denzel and Viola…ohhh I cant wait!!!
I read the play in college but I will most def be going to see it. I can’t wait.
I absolutely can not wait to see this movie! I had a chance to go to a preview and my schedule wouldn’t line up. I was so sad!!!
I remember this play. I’m not a big movie person but this looks promising.
I remember the play and the playwright. I need to download it on Kindle so I can immerse myself in the details before going to see it with my family. What was your favorite part?
I am excited to see this move but there is nothing wrong with movies on race, civil right movement and segregation. If the past is not be out there, we will repeat it in our ignorance.
I’m so excited to see stories about us that are about slavery. While important, we have so many more stories to tell. Can’t wait to see the movie!!
This movie looks absolutely amazing. I love Denzel and Viola. They are amazing talents, and the clips look awesome.
Looks like a great movie. I need to put that on my list
I’m definitely going to have to see this. I like dramas that go into true-to-life situations like this.
This sounds like a great movie. I am a big fan of Denzel Washington.
What a wonderful sounding movie! What a great cast too!
I cannot wait to see this movie! Denzel Washington is one of my fav actors!
Ahhh these are 2 of my favorite actors. I need to go see this, what a wonderful story line. Date night with the hubby this weekend!
This movie looks like it is going to be so good. I love Denzel Washington a lot.
I definitely like to see this! I love Denzel Washington’s movies! Can’t wait to see it!
This looks like a great movie. Denzel is one of those actors that can really bring a character to life and show amazing emotion that’s so real.
This movie sounds very interesting. I have enjoyed watching everything that Denzel Washington stars in!
I want to see this movie but I’m such an emotional crybaby I don’t know if I’ll make it LOL
Yes – lets keep our fingers crossed for awards for this movie! I like the foundation and the over all connection it can have with so many families.
I can not wait to go see this movie. I have seen the previews and they look great. I love to watch movies with depth.
I live in Pittsburgh so I am really excited to see this one and how it all came together. It is also awesome that it is already getting nominated for awards!
This sounds like a very emotional and inspiring movie. I will definitely have to put this on my view list! Thank you so much for sharing your review!
This movie is literally everything right now. I loved it. Denzel and Viola were amazing as I knew they would be. I’m always a bit iffy when stage plays become movies, but they did this one its due.
I haven’t seen this movie yet, but after reading your review, it’s definitely going on my list. It will be interesting to see if it wins any awards in 2017!
I haven’t even heard of this movie but Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are two of my favorite actors so I’ll definitely have to pick this one up
This looks like such a great movie. My Mom is going to see it today and I am looking forward to hearing even more about it!!
Really excited about seeing this movie. I remember reading the play in college and it’s one of my favorites.
This looks like a great movie. Denzel is such a wonderful and skilled actor. He comes across so naturally you’d never know he was acting.
I adore Denzel and already had this on my “must see” list- thanks for the comprehensive but anti-spoiler review!
It sounds like an amazing film. I love that viola Davis is in it. She is an amazing actress
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I can’t wait to go see this with my husband. I love black movies with a meeting.
I am a big fan of both of these actors so have been wanting to see this! After reading your review I am more convinced I need to get a date night soon so I can see it.
We try to limit the number of movies we see every year so I definitely can’t wait for this to hit streaming devices so I can check it out.
Fences is still one of my favorite plays to read from school. I’m so excited to watch this film.
I haven’t even heard of this movie! I will definitely have to check it out though, it sounds like it is a great one!
This sounds like a great film, and something I would really like to watch. Thanks for your review, I like to read reviews before going to the cinema myself, so thanks for sharing!
OMG thanks so much for sharing this. I can not wait to see this movie. I was thinking about going to see it on NYE! I am so excited about all the movies that are out right now.
This movie looks so good! I can’t wait to go with my husband to see it. It has such a great message and who doesn’t love Denzel!
I haven’t heard of this movie, what is it rated? I hope not R I would love to see it.
I have never heard of the movie but it sure looks awesome. I will definitely need to go see it. I love movies with a good message.
Omg this movie looks like it’s going to be so good!!!!! I can’t wait to see it!
Absolutely sounds like a good movie, I can’t wait to watch this movie.