With an Oscar winning performance from Viola Davis and and directed by Oscar-nominated Denzel Washington, there’s no over indulgent cinematography or glitzy sets here, just a truly heartwarming, powerful and engaging film!
Fences is an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize Winning play by the same name, written by the late-great August Wilson and tells the story of Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) and his close knit family, friends and his everyday struggles in 1950’s Pittsburg. It tells of overcoming the prejudice the black community faced in the 1950’s and how far they had to go. It looks at the roles of Mother, Father and children and the sacrifice they make to support each other and forgetting ones dreams but not losing sight of them.
Troy is not a bad guy, in fact many men will see a little of themselves in him. He is an imperfect man to say the least but he is a likeable person, and unfortunately however he does do some despicable things. His tough love approach to raising his son seems more out of spite than love. While battling with his inner demons, we learn that growing up his dad had a tough love approach also. Troy ended up living on the streets, and from then on his life becomes a constant effort to survive, and finally after killing a man during a robbery he winds up in prison. It was only after getting out of prison that he met his wife Rose [Voila Davis), that he admits to himself that it was she alone who saved him from seriously ruining his life for good. And while there can be no doubt that he loves Rose, his behaviour proves that love and respect are not the same thing. Troy’s dream of making a successful career in baseball still nags on his mind and he carries some deep resentment that he was to old when the leagues started admitting black athletes and he missed the opportunity.
Viola Davis was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the 2017 Oscars.
The supporting cast fares well, particularly his life long pal and work mate Bono (Stephen Henderson). Bono was a very good friend to Troy, helping him to realise that certain changes were necessary to help improve his life. Other cast members include Troy’s mentally disabled Brother Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson) who sustained war injuries in World War Two. Next up is Troy’s son Cory (Jo van Adepo) who dreams of becoming an American football player, and his other son Lyons (Russell Hornsby) who is a struggling musician trying to make it into the big time.
The cast come together to do Wilson’s words justice, and their efforts result in what may be the most well-acted film of the year.
Viola Davis fully deserves her best-supporting actress Oscar! Her character Rose Maxson is so reserved and subtle for much of the film, allowing Troy’s continual imperfections and abuses to store inside her and chip away at her emotionally until the final straw causes her to erupt. It’s an emotional and painful performance to observe.
As for Denzel Washington’s performance, in my opinion it doesn’t top his Oscar winning performance in Training Day but the pure raw and complex character he becomes as Troy leads you to forget you’re watching a big star, which is truly magnificent. He however decided to exclude himself from the Oscar nominees for best film director but instead he was nominated for best actor at the 2017 Oscars.
Fences won’t appeal to everyone. Those looking for action and extravaganza, this is not your movie. But if you’re like me and enjoy watching good actors perform a well-written script, Oscar worthy performances and a golden globe winning actress then you’ll be enthralled by every minute of Fences.
Author: Paul, York store
