MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Fences’

(Paramount Pictures)
By Lucas Allen

Based on August Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play, “Fences” takes a hard look at life in 1950s America through the eyes of an African-American family. Interestingly enough, some of the main actors reprise their roles from their 2010 Tony Award-winning revival. Under the direction of Denzel Washington, who previously directed “Antwone Fisher” and “The Great Debaters,” it’s like watching the play unfold on the big screen instead of the stage.

53-year old Troy Maxson (Washington) is dealing with life in 1955 Pittsburgh. His dreams of playing professional baseball were dashed during the war, which left him a bitter old man and a hard drinker. Though he has a decent job as a garbage collector with longtime friend Bono (Stephen Henderson), he feels held back in spite of the support of his wife Rose (Viola Davis). He tends to take out his frustrations on his two sons, including eldest Lyons (Russell Hornsby) a struggling jazz musician who keeps borrowing money.

But it’s the younger son Cory (Jovan Adepo) he feels the angriest with because of the teenager’s dreams of going to college and making it in the football league. It soon starts to put a strain on the relationship between father and son, especially with Troy’s disabled veteran brother Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson), who is starting to lose touch with reality. Even worse, he has been hiding a secret from Rose for many years that could tear his whole family apart.

As soon as you get to the play’s famous “How come you ain’t never liked me” scene early in the movie, the story’s impact can be felt on the screen. Washington directs and acts both that scene and other good moments with wonderful professionalism. He seems to be really enjoying working on the play version back in 2010 that he wanted the movie to work as well and he managed to succeed for the most part.

It could’ve been cut down to about two hours, especially that last scene that went too long, but it paces well like any good play would. It does the singular location in the Maxson household for much of the movie, but it also gets to other parts of the town like the streets where Troy does his job. It gives the film a natural small town feel like you’ve been living there for a long time and knew these people well.

Not surprisingly, the main actors who were also in the revival deliver excellent performances. Even if you never saw the revival, you’ll feel like you’re watching great Broadway moments in your local theater. Washington plays his character with both a lovable side and a dark, evil side. He plays those two sides amazingly like any other character he plays in his long career. Davis definitely deserves the most awards attention as the long-suffering wife, especially during her big scene when the secret is revealed and she tells it like it is.

“Fences” will surely play well to a wide audience, including those who couldn’t afford a ticket to a Broadway show. This will be an easy choice for those looking for some serious entertainment this awards season. It’s also easily recommended for the main actors alone.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references)

THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.5 Stars (out of four)