Fences

2016 "Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in."
7.2| 2h19m| PG-13| en
Details

In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.

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Reviews

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting
HomeyTao For having a relatively low budget, the film's style and overall art direction are immensely impressive.
Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
fmt-96-787608 What a movie! Brilliant casting, amazing filming, a few scenes are maybe a tiny too long but it is undoubtedly a great great great movie.
KierieSanchis Fences, told a part of the american story, seldom shared with the public, no matter the color of subjects. I thought the way in which, the story was brought to life on the big screen, was nothing short of genius. The nature of the sensitive subject matter, is difficult all by itself. The ability to fit so much of the experience of the story into a movie, is a skill set I have only dreamt about. The amount amazing people that made this film remarkable, is astounding. I could not help but to feel connected to these characters. By the end of the movie I was shedding tears of joy, finding forgiveness, peace, and a new understanding in some of my own family's history, to be quite moving.
chichak_2 Great acting, all performed good in that movie. But sometimes i found it boring, too long movie.
The Movie Diorama It's very difficult to manage expectations when the talent on and off screen is immeasurable. Washington acting and directing, Davis, Wilson's original drafted screenplay and loyally abiding to Wilson's last wishes by utilising an all African-American cast. For the most part, this drama succeeds. An old-school family's trust is broken when the husband admits to being unfaithful. What follows is an almost Shakespearean American drama that is fuelled by values and traditions. On paper, these characters are formidable forces. Proud individuals who hold the utmost respect for themselves, yet their lives are far from the idyllic dreams that they once had. The son has the same aspirations as the father, yet due to his failed ventures he refuses to let his son follow the same doomed path. Insinuating that racism played a fundamental role to his demise, he attempts to manipulate his son into thinking the same. It's a harsh family environment where the members are constantly treading carefully, fortunately Wilson's screenplay conveys the tension eloquently. The first act is a tidal wave of dialogue that allows Washington and Davis to establish their prominence. The latter being incredible, particularly during the snot-filled scene where she exclaims "Well I've been standing here with you!". Immediately I was stricken with goosebumps. Washington's directing style was simple as he ensures the screenplay is at the forefront. However, the major issue I have with this unabridged conversion of the play is that it has no cinematic style. It's as if I was watching the play, yet because Washington attempted to adapt this cinematically he consequently loses the theatrical intensity. Thus I struggled to remain compelled through certain scenes. So much dialogue and acting that it just doesn't settle, it lacked that emotional involvement. Fences is an incredibly intimidating film, wonderfully written and acted but occasionally disinteresting. I just wanted something more from this...